Hyperparathyroidism and Hypotestosteronemia of Acute Renal Failure

Abstract

Acute and chronic renal failure are associated with a marked reduction in the serum levels of testosterone. The mechanisms underlying this abnormality are unknown. Certain data have implicated the high blood levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) of uremia in the genesis of the hypotestosteronemia. The effects of 3 days of acute uremia in dogs with intact parathyroid glands and in thyroparathyroidectomized animals on serum testosterone levels and on the calcium content of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and the testes were examined. Similar studies were performed in normal dogs treated with parathyroid extract for 3 days. The serum levels of testosterone were significantly (p < 0.01) reduced, and the calcium levels of hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and testes were significantly (p < 0.01) increased in the acutely uremic dogs with intact parathyroid glands and in the normal dogs treated with parathyroid extract. Prior parathyroidectomy in the acutely uremic dogs prevented these abnormalities. The results of our study assign an important role for the excess blood levels of PTH in uremia in the genesis of the hypotestosteronemia. The data suggest that the effect of excess PTH on serum testosterone levels may be mediated through the accumulation of calcium in the organs which participate in synthesis and/or release of testosterone.

Increase of bioavailable testosterone is associated with gain in bone mineral density after cure of primary hyperparathyroidism in postmenopausal women

“…Previous data from animal experiments 13 and studies of patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism as a result of renal disease 14,15 have indicated possible relationships between PTH excess, low circulating testosterone levels and sexual dysfunction. The association between bioavailable testosterone and primary parathyroid disease found in our study is, however, a new observation.…”

Parathyroid Hormone-Parathyroid Hormone Related Protein Receptor Messenger RNA Is Present in Many Tissues besides the Kidney

“…These include the heart [1-3], brain [4], liver [5], testes [6], pancreas [7,8], polymorphonuclear leukocytes [9][10][11], thymocytes [12], T [13] and B [14] cells. Also, the acute exposure of contain PTH receptors.…”

Adenohypophyseal-Gonadal Dysfunction in Male Haemodialyzed Patients before and after Subtotal Parathyroidectomy

“…In addition. Akmal et al [6] showed that hvpotestosteronaemia in acute renal fail ure in dogs is prevented by prior PTX. These authors sug gested that the effect of PTH excess on serum testosterone Effect of Parathyroidectomy on LH, Testosterone, and FSH might be mediated through the accumulation of calcium in hypothalamus, adenohypophysis, and testes.…”