Thirtheen male patients with chronic renal failure undergoing regular dialysis treatment (2 X 8-10 hours/week) were treated with gonadotropins (HCG, Primogonyl) primarily 2 X 2,000 IU/week and later 2,000 IU/week. Before HCG administration and during 4-months HCG-therapy testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, Androstandiol, LH and FSH levels were determined by RIA-methods in 7-14 days intervals. Before HCG-application plasma testosterone levels were low and did not increase in the course of regular dialysis treatment. Derivates from testosterone like dihydrotestosterone and Androstandiol were elevated in plasma, presumbably because of accumulation in renal failure. LH-levels were slightly elevated on the average. FSH-levels showed a high individual variation but also seemed to be elevated on the average. HCG stimulation by exogenous HCG administration for short time resulted in a insufficient rise of testosterone levels as compared to normals. During prolonged HCG administration plasma testosterone levels increased to normal but dropped immediatly after cessation of therapy or reduction to less than 2,000 IU HCG twice/week. Body weight, plasma proteins, haematocrite and fertility did not improve significantly. These results indicate that in chronic renal failure androgen synthesis by testicular tissue is seriously impaired and does not improve under usual dialysis treatment. Feedback regulation of testosterone levels by increase of LH levels seems not to be sufficient although pituitary response is found to be normal. This may be explained by elevated levels of testosterone derivates which exert negative feedback effects.

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In the so-called Sertoli cell syndrome nearly always club shaped invaginations of the basement tubule membrane with intact cellule membrane can be seen. These protuberatons ultrastructurally prove to be multiplicated piles of the lamina densa of the basement membrane. The cells in the Sertoli cell syndrome show a quantitatively and qualitatively reduced pattern of enzymes in contrast with the active Sertoli cells.

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