[Gonadal function in boys prior to treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia].

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the gonadal function in boys with newly-diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, prior to therapy.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The analysis was evaluated in 48 boys with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, at the time of diagnosis; 34 boys were prepubertal - Tanner stage of sexual maturation 1 (group I) and 14 - pubertal - Tanner stage 3-5 (group II). Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), inhibin B, testosterone and testicular volume were determined.

RESULTS

In group I no alteration in hormonal status was observed, whereas in group II lower inhibin B was found (68.09 ng/l+/-54.87 vs 152.66 ng/l+/-72.09, p=0.0002). The levels of FSH, LH, testosterone and testicular volume did not differ from healthy adolescents. We did not observe a correlation between inhibin B and FSH concentrations. We did not find the influence of immunophenotype of leukaemic cells, leukocytosis, haemoglobin, platelets levels as well as LDH activity on the values of analyzed hormones.

CONCLUSION

In adolescent boys with newly diagnosed leukaemia, lowered inhibin B values may suggest the damage of spermatogenesis even before the start of chemo- and radiotherapy. The small number of examined children requires confirmation on a larger group of patients.