[Participation of gonads in chronic poisonings with heavy metals]

On the basis of clinical examinations in 23 of 37 patients with chronic heavy metal intoxications hypofunctions of the gonads were proved in the sense of a deficitary spermatogenesis. By application of gonadotropic hormones the spermatogenesis could be stimulated, so that a deficient excretion of hormones in toxic lesion of the hypothalamo-hypophysary structures of the patients is to be taken into consideration.