Effect of Graded Doses of Ionizing Radiation on the Human Testis

Hypogonadism following prostate-bed radiation therapy for prostate carcinoma

“…[17][18][19] The greater age-associated increases in LH and FSH among men with prior radiation, together with their lower androgen concentrations, indicates a much less vigorous testicular response to LH in older men with prior radiation than among men with prior surgery and also suggests that Leydig cell populations may become increasingly sensitive to radiation injury with increasing host age. Permanent radiation-induced impairment of intracellular Leydig cell function, rather than a decrease in Leydig cell numbers, has been suggested by several teams of investigators 15,16 and is supported by observations of unchanged 8 or increased 15 numbers of Leydig cells in radiation-damaged testes.…”

“…15 Persistent elevations in LH and decreases in testosterone levels, indicating Leydig cell damage, have been consistently reported after direct testicular radiation with 200 cGy or more, 15,16 a dose well below that received by patients during EBRT, which is estimated at 3-8% of the prostate-bed dose (250 -600 cGy). [1][2][3][4] The higher LH and FSH values of older men in both of our treatment categories relative to their androgen levels indicated diminished testicular sensitivity to gonadotrophin stimulation associated with increased age, a phenomenon supported by other studies.…”

A study of reproductive function in patients with seminoma treated with radiotherapy and orchidectomy: (SWOG-8711)

“…Rowley et al ( 17 ) used single doses of radiation from an orthovoltage unit and followed seven normal "volunteer" males ages 25-52 had their testicle(s) biopsied, received doses from 0.08 to 6.40 Gy, and were followed for over 30 months. The authors concluded that plasma testosterone levels showed no significant change at any dose studied.…”

Ultramorphological sperm characteristics in the risk assessment of health effects after radiation exposure among salvage workers in Chernobyl.

“…Examination of patients who have participated in controlled experiments or have received radiotherapy has provided some information about dose-response relationships between radiation exposure and suppression of spermatogenesis, and recovery potential (8,9). However, data obtained in connection with radiation accidents, including the nuclear reactor disaster in Chernobyl, have been difficult to interpret because of imprecise exposure assessment (10).…”