Gonadotropins (FSH, LH) and testosterone are the prime regulators of germ cell development. Abnormal spermatogenesis is often associated with altered serum gonadotropins and testosterone. FSH, LH and testosterone levels were estimated in 96 infertile men of whom 35 were azoospermic, 35 were oligozoospermic, 11 were with varicocele and 15 were with histopathological abnormalities like hypospermatogenesis, spermatid arrest and sertoli-cell only syndrome. Results showed statistically significant (p<0.05), increase in the mean FSH and LH levels in all the infertile males studied when compared with the fertile controls (n=35). However, there is no significant difference in the mean levels of testosterone between the infertile and fertile men.

Five hundred mentally retarded children (of both sexes and under 15 years of age) referred to our institute were screened for aminoacid disorders. One case of dicarboxylic aminoaciduria was found in a girl.

No abstract

A screening program was carried out for amino acid disorders in children with mental handicaps from the state of Andhra Pradesh (India) during the last two decades. Forty-one (0.9%) cases were detected with amino acid disorders among 4500 children surveyed. We reported amino acid disorders of rare occurrence such as dicarboxylic aminoaciduria, hydroxykynureninuria, persistent hypertyrosinemia, hydroxyprolinemia, hypervalinemia, etc. A new metabolic defect threoninemia was also detected. We have observed a preponderance of males with amino acid disorders. Parental consanguinity was present in 54% of cases with amino acid disorders.