The pituitary-testicular axis of uraemic subjects on haemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

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Abstract
Pituitary-testicular function was evaluated in 18 patients with chronic renal failure, 9 treated by maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and 9 by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and compared with a nonuremic control group. Serum total testosterone and the free testosterone index were significantly low in both dialysis groups. Basal FSH and LH [luteinizing hormone] levels were elevated, but this reached significance only with regard to LH. The responses of both FSH and LH to the i.v. administration of LHRH were normal. There was no significant difference between the cAPD and HD groups in any of the hormonal parameters estimated. While CAPD may improve control of some metabolic parameters when compared with HD, it does not improve the function of the pituitary-testicular axis.