Cohort study reveals azoospermia and dose-dependent Leydig cell damage in boys irradiated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, indicating high long-term infertility risks.
Gonadal function was assessed in 15 boys with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) who had received testicular irradiation. The dose to the testes was 12 Gy in 12, 15 Gy in 1, and 24 Gy in 2 cases. All of those who had received 12 or 15 Gy had normal Leydig cell function, although high levels of gonadotropins suggest subclinical Leydig cell damage. The 2 who had 24 Gy had Leydig cell failure. All who were old enough to produce a semen specimen were azoospermic.
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Castillo et al. (1990) studied this question.