Testicular histology following chronic gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment

Abstract

The histologic appearance of the testes of men exposed to chronic gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-A) therapy has not been previously documented. Herein, we report on the histologic features of the testes of four patients with disseminated prostatic carcinoma who received at least 1 year of daily treatment with (D-Leu6, des-Gly-NH2(10), proethylamide9)-GnRH (leuprolide, Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL) for their disease, and subsequently underwent bilateral orchiectomy. In marked contrast to the testes from five control patients, the testes of these agonist-treated patients demonstrated absence of spermatogenesis, Leydig cell hypoplasia, and Leydig cell inactivity. These data provide direct histologic evidence that the chronic administration of GnRH agonists may be suitable as a potential male contraceptive.