[The male gonad in an adrenometabolic syndrome. Morpho-functional findings]

The hormonal and morphological features of the hypogonad condition observed in patients with Cushing's disease have been examined. Endocrine functional exploration carried out in 5 male patient showed normal gonadotropin incretion and excretion levels alongside a reduced plasma level of testosterone and an excess of suprarenal androgens, particularly DHA. Cytomorphological observation of the testicle not only confirms the state of gonadic functional quiescence, but makes it possible to exclude the existence of possible intrinsic changes which make gonads unable to respond to tropin stimulus. It is considered that, as is observed in normal humans under corticosteroid load, the excess of glycocorticoids in Cushing's disease depresses testicular endocrine activity, without activating feedback with gonadotrophic hypophysis, since the suprarenal androgens replace testosterone in the counter-regulation mechanism.