Response to a Single Dose of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Prepubertal Boys*

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Abstract
In normal men a single dose of hCG induces an increase in plasma testosterone (T) and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17α-0HP) 2–4 h after the injection; after 24–36 h a maximum increase in plasma 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-0HP occurs followed by a second surge in T after 48–96 h. The present investigation focuses on the effect of a single dose of hCG (3500 IU/m2 body surface) on testicular steroid production in 12 boys aged 13 months to 12 yr. Plasma hCG, 17α-0HP, androstenedione (A), T, dihydrotestosterone, and E2 were measured basally and 2, 4, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after hCG administration. Plasma hCG was measured using a double antibody RIA technique and steroids by RIA after celite chromatography. The results show that hCG peaked 2 h after administrationof the hormone and high levels persisted for up until 72 h. Plasma T and dihydrotestosterone increased after 48 h and remained significantly high for another 48 h; 17α-0HP, A, and E2 did not change. These findings show that hCG stimulation in prepubertal boys induces significant productionof T without affecting the precursors or aromatization product, in contrast to observation inthe adult man, where 17α-0HP, A, and E2 increase significantly. A response comparable to that observed in children has been recorded in adult males with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

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