Effect of renal transplantation on pituitary gonadal function

Twelve adult male patients who had undergone successful renal transplantation were investigated. The gonadotropin responses to 100 microgram luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LRH) were studied, and basal serum testosterone and prolactin assayed. Significantly elevated mean basal levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were found, associated with a correspondingly excessive LH and FSH response to LRH. Mean basal serum testosterone levels in the posttransplant patients were significantly lower than in normal controls, while the mean basal prolactin levels were similar in the two groups. The results were not influenced by the varying degrees of renal function found in the posttransplant patients.