Alexandria Journal of Medicine (Dec 2024)
Study of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in Egyptian post-COVID-19 patients
Abstract
Background SARS-CoV-2, was identified as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization a few months after the first epidemic. It penetrates host cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors and spreads by respiratory droplets. Testes are among the several tissues that have high expression levels of ACE-2 receptors. The current study aimed to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis integrity among Egyptian post-COVID-19 patients.Methods This is a cross-sectional study that included patients with a history of COVID-19 infection, at least 3 months from the onset of COVID-19. A detailed clinical history was obtained, and a thorough examination was performed. Laboratory tests included FBG, total testosterone, free testosterone, bioactive testosterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, E2, albumin, and SHBG. Testicular ultrasonography was performed. The data were statistically analyzed.Results Eighty male patients were evaluated with a mean age of 35.53 ± 10.35 years. The mean serum total testosterone was 5.48 ± 1.65 ng/ml. Low testosterone was detected in 2.8% of the patients. High LH levels were detected in 17/80 patients (21.3%). High FSH levels were detected in 4/80 patients (5%). Six patients had elevated serum E2 level. The mean serum prolactin value was 10.90 ± 5.66 ng/ml. Fourteen patients had elevated prolactin levels. The mean serum T/LH ratio was 3.28 ± 1.52. The ratio of T/LH was decreased in eight COVID-19 patients (10%). In COVID-19 patients, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between age and free testosterone (FT) (r=-0.381, p < 0.001), bioavailable testosterone (Bio. T) (r=-0.375, p = 0.001), and androgen index (A. index) (r=-0.446, p < 0.001).Conclusion The data of the current study suggest that COVID-19 infection might deteriorate pituitary – gonadal axis. The prevalence of low testosterone in COVID-19 male survivors is low. The risk of hypogonadism is increased with advanced age. More studies are required to confirm the relationship between COVID-19 infection and male gonadal function.
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