[The endocrine function of the hypophyseal-gonadal system in varicocele]

The paper provides the evidence on interaction of the endocrine system hypophysis-gonads with varicocele. Gonadotropic hormones and sexual steroids were measured in the blood of varicocele males (47 cases) and of fertile healthy males (17 cases), testosterone in the tissue of the sexual glands and blood of white noninbred rats (40 test against 20 control animals). It was found that in 18% of varicocele patients high levels of FSH were associated with oligo-, pathospermia and changes in spermatogenic epithelium. Interstitial cell stimulating hormone did not shift above the standard in all varicocele patients, while testosterone was low in 15% of them and combined with hypogonadism manifestations. Progesterone rose high in 38% of the examinees. The discussion covers the problem of hyperprogesteronemia origin. Recommendations are given on gonadotropic hormones and sexual steroids assays which are thought useful in examination of the patients to validate pathogenetic treatment.