SLEEP-WAKE PATTERNS AND INTEGRATED VALUES OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE, FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE, PROLACTIN, GROWTH HORMONE AND THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE IN NORMAL AND CRYPTORCHID PUBERTAL PATIENTS

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Abstract
Cryptorchid patients (4 unilateral and 3 bilateral cryptochids) average age 12 yr and 9 normal pubertal boys of 13 yr (mean age) were studied. Blood samples were collected by a continuous withdrawal pump, every hour, for 24 h. The hormonal concentration for every fraction of time was measured and related to the sleep (S.hivin.c), wake (W.hivin.c) and total 24 h period (D.hivin.c). The integrated concentrations of the corresponding periods (IS, IW, ID) were calculated as well as their ratios (IS/IW; IS/ID%). For GH [growth hormone] and TSH [thyroid stimulating hormone], the data obtained demonstrated no differences between cryptorchid and pubertal subjects. The PRL [prolactin] secretion in cryptorchid patients was moderately increased during the hours of nocturnal sleep. A normal pubertal sleep-wake rhythm was found for gonadotropins in both groups of subjects. More marked levels of LH [luteinizing hormone] secretion were observed in cryptorchid boys compared to normal pubertals. The presence of a sleep-wake rhythm was also found in the cryptorchid patients and normal pubertal subjects in the P [pubertal stage] 1 stage. The CNS program which controls the onset of puberty may be normal in cryptorchid patients.