Effect of urinary bilharzial infection on male pubertal development and endocrine functions

One hundred seventy-five males aged 9-20 years were selected. The subjects comprised two groups; controls and patients infected with urinary bilharziasis not associated with any other parasite. Pubertal development was assessed. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay procedure. Delay in pubertal development was evident in the normal control group as indicated by higher chronological age mean values at the various stages as compared to other world norms. Urinary bilharziasis exaggerated the delay in pubertal development as compared to that in the control group. In relation to the control group, the group with urinary bilharziasis had higher levels of serum FSH and LH, which were significant only at stages III and IV. No significant difference was noted between the two groups for serum testosterone and progesterone levels, except for the high progesterone mean value at stage V in the group with urinary bilharziasis.