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1 División de Biología de la
Reproducción, Subjefatura de
Investigación Científica and Hospital de
Convalecencia, Mexico City, Mexico
The effects of exposure to dibromochloropropane (DBCP) for one to seven years on testicular physiology were evaluated in five men
by measuring the circulating levels of FSH, LH,
androstenedione, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) every 4 hours throughout
a 24-hour period, and correlating this data with
semen analysis and testicular biopsy. The
study showed above-normal concentrations of
plasma FSH in 29 of 30 samples and plasma LH
in 25 of 30 samples. With one exception, androstenedione levels were lower than normal in
all subjects. Plasma testosterone and DHT
concentrations were generally within the normal range (24 of 30 and 29 of 30, respectively).
The anatomic damage to the testes varied from
no perceptible lesions to complete absence of
germinal epithelium, with the corresponding
range of results of semen analysis from normal
spermatogenesis to azoospermia. The results
suggest that DBCP causes profound damage of
the germinal epithelium and that damage may
be present before a histologic abnormality can
be clearly demonstrated. The observed elevated levels of LH in the face of normal testosterone concentrations would suggest damage
to the Leydig cells, with the chronic overstimulatlon of these cells by LH being necessary to
maintain essentially normal testosterone concentration. Histologic evidence of Leydig cell
hyperplasia supports this interpretation of
hormonal findings.
Key words: dibromochloropropane, testis histology, gonadotropins, androgens, diurnal variations
Submitted on April 15, 1980
Revised on July 3, 1980
Accepted on July 3, 1980
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