[Basal prolactinaemia and responses to TRH and to sulpiride in different categories of male sexual dysfunctions (author's transl)].

We assayed serum prolactin (PRL) and serum testosterone (T) in 435 males complaining about a sexual dysfunction (SD) without any clinically detected etiology: erectile impotence (IMP): 320 cases distributed into 3 groups according to their semiology; anejaculation (ANEJ): 26 cases; premature ejaculation (EP): 75 cases; isolated lack of libido: 11 cases; isolated anorgasm: 3 cases. PRL-response to 200 micrograms of TRH was assessed in 41 cases, and PRL-response to sulpiride in 38 cases. We compared these results to those of 28 normal males with t test. Serum PRL exceeds 75 ng/ml in 3 IMP and 1 ANEJ, everyone presenting psychological disturbances. It is mildly increased (18 to 58 ng/ml) in 3,7% IMP and 17,3% EP and normal in the other cases. Mean PRL is lower in ANEJ and IMP than in normal males. PRL decrease is clearer in the group in which erection is the most disturbed. T is lower in ANEJ than in normal males, IMP and EP. Area under the curve of PRL-response to TRH is lower in ANEJ and IMP (for the groups with the most disturbed erection) than in normal males and EP. PRL-response to sulpiride doesn't differ from that of normal males in the 3 categories of SD. Research of linear correlations between scores of anxiety and depression and PRL maximal increments after TRH and sulpiride in EP and ANEJ is negative. So impotency and anejaculation may be the sole telltale sign of an hyperprolactinemia and PRL systematically must be assayed in these SD. But mild abnormalities probably are the witness of emotional disturbances which escort or cause SD and have no etiologic role.