Pituitary-gonadal Function in Hypospadias

Kim, Jae Woo; Choi, Seung Kang

Abstract

The mechanism by which hypospadias is induced has not yet been clearly clarified. However insufficiency of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal function has been suggested in the hypospadias while conflicting results have been demonstrated. Therefore, we assessed pituitary-gonadal function of hypospadias by measuring serum concentrations of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and T:DHT ratio before and after HCG treatment. Pituitary LH and FSH responses to exogenous LHRH were also measured. The results were as follows ; 1. There were no significant differences in basal concentrations of serum testosterone and DHT between control and hypospadias. T:DHT ratio was not significantly different between two groups. 2. Concentrations of serum testosterone, DHT, LH and FSH were significantly elevated after HCG of LHRH administration except two patients with familial hypospadias. Also, T:DHT ratio showed normal level in hypospadias group after HCG stimulation. There results suggest that hypospadias may not be associated with abnormality in pituitary-gonadal function except familial hypospadias.