Pituitary-testicular function in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In 42 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis and without recent alcohol ingestion the pituitary-testicular function was studied to relate the endocrine abnormalities with the degree of liver cell dysfunction, evaluated on a quantitative basis. Compared with values in 21 healthy controls, significantly elevated serum estrone, estradiol, FSH luteinizing hormone and prolactin were found (P < 0.01). Serum dehydroepiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were significantly reduced in the cirrhotics (P < 0.01); serum testosterone was not significantly different from that in controls. Raised levels of sex hormone binding globulin were found in 71% (22/31) of the patients (median 8 .times. 10-8 mol/l, range 3-17 .times. 10-8 mol/l). The incidence of gynecomastia (38%), cutaneous spiders (67%), testicular atrophy (24%) and reduced axillary hair (71%) was without significant relation to raised levels of sex hormone binding globulin or progressively reduced liver function. In the presence of clinical or hormonal hypogonadism, evidence of a state of primary hypogonadism together with an inadequate secretion of gonadotropins was seen. The state of hyperestrogenemia and the concentration of gonadotropins were significantly correlated to the hepatic synthesis of coagulation factors.