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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1988; 92(6): 257-261
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1210812
Original

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Steroid and Steroid Regulating Hormones in Human Male Castrates

R. Hampl, J. Zvěřina, J. Šulcová, L. Stárka
  • Research Institute of Endocrinology (Director: MUDr. K. Vondra, DrSc), Prague and Institute of Sexuology (Head: Prof. MUDr. J. Raboch, DrSc.), Charles University, School of Medicine, Prague/Czechoslovakia
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Publication History

1988

Publication Date:
16 July 2009 (online)

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Summary

Testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulphate, 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, LH, FSH and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were determined in 16 otherwise healthy male castrates, orchidectomized for the forensic reasons. Their hormone levels were compared with those, obtained in normal males of the same age category. There were found in the castrates decreased levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and androstenedione, unaltered concentrations of cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone, whereas the levels of 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, both gonadotrophins and SHBG were increased. The results point to the importance of the selective increase of the incretory activity of the adrenal cortex in situations, when the gonadal function is impaired or missing.

Key words

Castrates - Androgens - Adrenal steroids - Gonadotrophins - Sex hormone binding globulin