Penile Growth in Response to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Treatment in Patients with Idiopathic Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism

Abstract

Penile growth is under androgenic control. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has a stimulatory effect on testicular steroidogenesis and penile growth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hCG treatment on the gonadal response and penile growth in male idiopathic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (IHH) presenting with micropenis. A total of 20 IHH patients who met the criteria for micropenis were included in this study. hCG (1,500-2,000 IU) was administrated intramuscularly, 3 times per week, for 8 weeks. Basic laboratory and hormonal indexes (including serum testosterone and LH levels), penis length (flaccid and stretched), and testicular volume were measured before and 24 weeks after hCG treatment. The patients' mean age was 18.9 years (range, 12 to 24 years). The mean serum testosterone level was significantly increased after hCG treatment (baseline, 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks: 0.90±1.35 ng/ml, 1.77±1.31 ng/ml, 3.74±2.24 ng/ml, 5.49±1.70 ng/ml, and 5.58±1.75 ng/ml, respectively; p<0.05). Mean penile length also increased significantly 24 weeks after treatment (flaccid length: from 3.39±1.03 cm to 5.14±1.39 cm; stretched length: from 5.41±1.43 cm to 7.45±1.70 cm; p<0.001). Mean testicular volumes increased significantly as well (left: from 5.45 cc to 6.83 cc; right: from 5.53 cc to 7.03 cc). There were no remarkable adverse effects of the hCG treatment. The hCG treatment increased the serum testosterone level, penile length, and testicular volume in IHH patients. Our results suggest that hCG treatment has a beneficial effect on gonadal function and penile growth in patients with IHH presenting with micropenis.

Penile growth in response to hormone treatment in children with micropenis

“…Several studieshave shown that patients with IHH had a good response to hCG therapy in terms of penile growth, testicular growth, and elevation of serum testosterone. [ 6 ] Treatment of micropenis should focus on penile size sufficient for the child to have an appropriate body image, normal sexual function, and standing micturition. Inability to bring the penis fully to the mean measurement for age does not imply failure.…”

“…Some studies[ 6 ] have evaluated the response of micropenis to hCG therapy in adolescent or adult men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hormonal therapy on the gonadal response and penile growth in children who presented with micropenis.…”

Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism and Gynaecomastia in the Young Adult: A Case Series

“…A significant increase in inhibin B, free testosterone, and total testosterone levels have been noticed 72 h after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection, in IHH patients [9]. hCG has a stimulatory effect on testicular steroidogenesis and penile growth [10]. Dickson et al who have described the algorithm for diagnosis of gynaecomastia, mention that one-half of men with Klinefelter syndrome have gynaecomastia [11].…”

There is no turning back on the paradigm shift on the actions of human chorionic gonadotropin and luteinizing hormone

“…[17][18][19][20][21][22][23] The nongonadal receptors are not only found in humans but also in many other animal species. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] There is a selectivity in the nongonadal hCG/LH receptor distribution in adults. For example, adult liver, lungs, kidney, spleen, and skeletal smooth muscle do not contain them.…”

“…[17][18][19][20][21][22][23] The latter consist of tissues and cells that are generally either responsive to sex steroid hormones and/or can synthesize them. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] There are more data on receptor characterization and functional relevance in some tissues than in the others. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23] The nongonadal receptors are not only found in humans but also in many other animal species.…”