Hypogonadism, gonadal hormones

Hyperprolactinemia can lead to hypogonadism secondary to prolactin s inhibitory effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormonal axis. A 35-year-old female with psychosis and history of 7years of treatment with different antipsychotics presented with hypogonadism and radiological evidence of a pituitary microadenoma while on amisulpride and aripiprazole [53 ]. The authors did not relate the microadenoma to the hyperprolactinema and commented on the difficulty of treating these disorders. 

Hypogonadism A condition resulting from or characterized by abnormally decreased functional activity of the gonads, with retardation of growth and sexual development or reduced or absent secretion of hormones from the sex glands resulting in low testosterone levels in men. 

By contrast, deficiency of 17-hydroxylase results in impaired ability of the gonads (as well as the adrenals) to synthesize androgens (males) or estrogen (females) patients subsequently manifest with problems typically associated with primary hypogonadism. Deficiency of 17-hydroxylase is similar to that of 11 (3-hydroxylase in that there is adrenal overproduction of min-eralocorticoids, resulting in sodium retention and high blood pressure. Differential diagnosis is usually facilitated by examination of the complete profile of adrenocortical steroid hormones. 

E. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) LH is the major stimulant of gonadal steroid production. In women, LH also regulates follicular development and ovulation. No pure preparation of LH is currently in use. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which has an almost identical structure, is used in place of LH for treatment of hypogonadism in men and women and as part of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and assisted reproductive technology programs. 

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