[The prehypophyseal-gonadal system in the normal male and in some forms of testicular dyscrinism. Evaluation studies in basic conditions and after stimulation].

The secretion values of the two seric gonadotropins and of plasmatic testosterone have been estimated in a casuistry of normal males subdivided in groups of 8 to 95 years of age, and of primitive and secondary testicular dyschrinia. In one part of this casuistry, normal and primitive hypogonadics, we have estimated the response to the intravenous administration of Gn-RH. Among the results which have been obtained, it appears that physiologic hypogonadism of the elderly is a primary phenomenum, not hypophyso-dependent. In the hypophysiary stimulus test, the response of gonadotropins in those old men moves away from the response of hypogonadics considered, by a behaviour much more similar to that of normal adults, even if delayed and prolonged. In all the cases, normal and pathologic, the response of testosterone is variable, perhaps owing to the relation with the various factor which have been noted.