Abstract
In a previous report (ESPE 1977, abst. 67) it was shown that in boys at pubertal stage (P) 2, T levels were significantly reduced by dexamethasone (DXM). As T production at P2 may be both from adrenal and gonadal sources, the significance of this inhibition was further investigated in advanced pubertal stages.
20 boys at P2 and 15 boys at P3-4 were studied after informed consent of parents. At P2, T morning levels (x̄ ± sem) before DXM, after 1 mg DXM given at 9 p.m. and 60 mn after Synacthen 250 μg/m2, were respectively in nmol/1 : 2.7 ± 0.46, 1.5 ± 0.27, 1.5 ± 0.31 (p < 0.002). At P3-4 T levels were reduced by DXM from 9.8 ± 1.1 to 6.6 ± 1.0 (p < 0.01) and further reduced after Synacthen up to 4.9 ± 0.9 (p = 0.02). In nine adult male volunteers morning T levels were reduced from 21 ± 1.7 to 18 ± 1.7 (p = 0.05) by DXM (3 mg × 3 days). 5000 IU hCG given intramuscularly under DXM treatment induced a response not differing from control group (34 ± 1.7, 30 ± 2.1, p > 0.10). These findings support the conception that ACTH induced inhibition of T production is mediated by glucocorticoids. The effect of DXM seems to be dose-related since in boys with larger body size (P3-4), Synacthen induced a further decrease of T, but not in boys at P2 where inhibition is maximal with the same DXM dosage. The unaltered responsiveness to hCG in adult does not support an inhibitory effect of DXM upon LH action on Leydig cells.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Roger, M., Canlorbe, P., Borniche, P. et al. Testosterone (T) decrease after ACTH : a glucocorticoid mediated process. Pediatr Res 13, 1186 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00033
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00033