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The clinical use of testosterone, and more recently of orally administered mesterolone in disorders of male fertility is of limited therapeutic efficacy, as shown by data found in the literature. On the basis of these considerations, the authors have tested mesterolone cyclopentylproprionate in 15 subjects suffering from sperm disorders. The drug, which is slowly released in the tissues has been parenterally administered at a total dose of 1,200 mg (100 mg per week). During the therapeutic trial the following aspects have been studied: spermiologic and hormonal patterns, general conditions, libido, principal organic functions and the possible side effects. Results are critically evaluated.

Radioimmunological methods have been used to assay the plasma concentrations of gonadotropins, androgens (expressed as the sum of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) and 17beta-oestradiol in 98 patients suffering from dysspermia of variable etiology, after stimulation with GnRH, Clomiphene, L-Dopa, Cyclophenyl, HCG in various dosage schemes, and HMG. Results show L-Dopa and HMG tests to be of little value in assessing the endocrine function in infertile men. They also confirm, in keeping with data found in the literature the usefulness of dynamic stimulation with GnRH, Clomiphene, and HCG for purposes of andrologic diagnosis. The GnRH proved useful for the distinction between primary and secondary hypogonadotropism as well as for assessing the therapeutic efficacy of releasing factors. The functional efficacy of the endocrine axis which is often impaired in patients with dysspermia can be evaluated by the Clomiphene test. In the small number of cases in which it was applied, Cyclophenyl brought about changes in gonadotropin concentration which require further study. The HCG tests, to be performed in patients with lower than normal testosterone plasma lavels, permits the discrimination between primary and secondary Leydig cell deficiencies as well as the assessment of interstitial tissue sensitivity to chorionic gonadotropin stimulation. Of the three dosage schemes (5000 IU, 7500 IU "step up", 10.000 IU) the last one is most suitable for clinical use.

The seminal and plasmatic concentrations have been examined of testosterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, and delta 4-androstenedione in normospermic and dysspermic subjects. The results obtained did not provide evidence of significant differences of androgen levels in fertile, hypofertile and sterile men.

The serum gonadotropin response to LH-RH (100 mug e.v.) in a group of women with various types of amenorrhea was critically evaluated. Most patients responded to rapid LH-RH injection with a significant rise in plasma LH and FSH. In the authors' opinion this response is observed in healthy women as well as in those with lesions, even severe ones, of the pituitary, so that quantification of the response does not supply reliable information on diagnosis and prognosis. On the other hand, a negative response to the injection of 100 mug LH-RH does not necessarily imply a pituitary lesion but is often a sign of altered hypothalamic function which can be diagnosed and in some instances restored by clomiphene administration.

Twenty-five female patients, aged 14 to 49, and suffering from syptoms of virilization (hirsutism, acne, seborrhea and alopecia) were treated with an estrogen-progestogen combinantion, i.e. cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol, having antiandrogenic and antiovulatory action. Patients were submitted to monitoring by means of a series of laboratory tests in order to detect any toxic or hormonal effects that might occur. In most cases symptoms of virilization were significantly reduced, while untoward side effects were not noted.

The plasma levels of gonadotrophins, androgens (expressed as testosterone) and 17beta-oestradiol in response to GnRH, L-dopa, clomiphene, HCG and HMG administration have been assayed by radioimmunological mehtods in 70 normal adult males. In keeping wih findings reported in the literature, the results obtained confirm the usefulness of dynamic stimulation with GnRH, clomiphene, and HCG in andrology for the purpose of evaluating the efficiency and integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular system and of its individual glandular components. On the other hand, the administration of L-dopa and HMG does not appear to yield clinically useful findings.

The Authors have determined the concentrations of Testosterone, 17beta-oestradiol, FSH and LH by of radioimmunologic assay in blood of seventy normal adult men blood drawn between eight and eleven a.m.) and in blood of thirteen normal adult men blood drawn at eight and twelve a.m., four and eight p.m.). Average values under basal conditions, and circadian variations have been discussed and confronted with those obtained by other authors.

130 male subjects (61 with asthenospermia, 69 with oligoasthenospermia) classified according to spermiologic patterns have been treated with different therapeutic outlines (gonadotrophins, antibiotica, arginine aspartate high levels, their associations); 89 subjects have been undergone with arginine aspartate, 41 without arginine aspartate. The results have been critically examined in order to different therapeutic outlines, to spermiogram, to diagnosis, to use of arginine aspartate in different spermiologic alterations, to use of arginine aspartate with respect to control groups, to arginine aspartate levels.

The plasma concentration of delta4-androstenedione has been assayed by a radioimmunological method, preceded by chromatographic purfication, in 11 normal adult and 4 adult castrated males at various times of day. The circadian variations observed are critically evaluated.