Endocrine function and haemoglobinopathies: relation between the sickle cell gene and circulating plasma levels of testosterone, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in adult males.

Circulating plasma levels of testosterone, luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were determined in adult Nigerian males who have haemoglobin (Hb) genotypes HbAA, AS, AC, SC and SS. The levels of the three hormones were significantly lower in homozygous sickle cell disease (HbSS) compared to the other groups, whereas the levels of testosterone and luteinising hormone were significantly reduced in HbSC heterozygotes compared to HbAS heterozygotes only. These results are suggestive of an association of secondary hypogonadism with haemoglobin S disease.