1
|
Carlomagno F, Hasenmajer V, Spaziani M, Tenuta M, Sesti F, Tarantino C, Pozza C, Isidori AM, Gianfrilli D. Total osteocalcin levels are independently associated with worse testicular function and a higher degree of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activation in Klinefelter syndrome. J Endocrinol Invest 2024:10.1007/s40618-024-02390-7. [PMID: 38773059 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-024-02390-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The role of osteocalcin (OCN) in pubertal development, male hypogonadism, and the effect of testosterone (Te) replacement therapy (TRT) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the total OCN (tOCN) concentrations in male patients with Klinefelter syndrome (KS), a model of adult hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. METHODS This retrospective longitudinal study investigated 254 male patients with KS (47,XXY) between 2007 and 2021 at an academic referral center, categorized as (1) prepubertal, (2) pubertal, and (3) adults. All prepubertal patients were Te-naïve. Adult patients were subcategorized as (1) eugonadal, (2) hypogonadal, and (3) receiving TRT. We also analyzed 18 adult patients with available tOCN levels before and 3 months after TRT commencement. RESULTS The tOCN levels varied throughout the lifespan according to pubertal status, were highest in eugonadal and significantly lower in TRT subjects, correlated with both LH (p = 0.017) and FSH levels (p = 0.004) in adults, and significantly declined after 3 months of TRT (p = 0.006) in the adult KS cohort. HPG-axis hormones levels demonstrated no correlation in prepubertal boys. Adjustment for age and body mass index confirmed previous results and revealed significant inverse correlations with total Te (p = 0.004), calculated free Te (p = 0.016), the Te/LH (p = 0.010), and calculated free Te/LH ratios (p = 0.031). CONCLUSION In KS, a model of male hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, tOCN levels were not associated with gonadal function during normal prepuberty and pubertal development but were associated with worse testicular function and a higher degree of HPG stimulation in adults. TRT acutely reduced tOCN levels in adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Carlomagno
- Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - V Hasenmajer
- Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - M Spaziani
- Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - M Tenuta
- Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - F Sesti
- Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - C Tarantino
- Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - C Pozza
- Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - A M Isidori
- Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy
- Endocrine and Andrological Regional Rare Disease Center (Endo-ERN Accredited), Policlinico Umberto I, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - D Gianfrilli
- Section of Medical Pathophysiology, Food Science and Endocrinology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gonzalez-Gil AM, Barnouin Y, Celli A, Viola V, Villarreal MD, Duremdes Nava ML, Sciuk A, Qualls C, Armamento-Villareal R, Villareal DT. Metabolic effects of testosterone added to intensive lifestyle intervention in older men with obesity and hypogonadism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024:dgae249. [PMID: 38606934 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) conveys additional cardiometabolic benefit to an intensive lifestyle therapy (LT) in older men with obesity and hypogonadism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To determine whether TRT augments the effect of LT on metabolic outcomes in older men with obesity and hypogonadism. DESIGN Secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING Veterans Affairs Medical Center. PARTICIPANTS 83 older (age ≥ 65 years) men with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and persistently low AM testosterone (< 10.4 nmol/L) associated with frailty. INTERVENTIONS LT (weight management and exercise training) plus either testosterone (LT+TRT) or placebo (LT+Pbo) for six months. OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome was change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Secondary outcomes included changes in other glucometabolic and lipid profile components, liver enzymes, inflammatory markers, adipokines; subcutaneous, visceral, intramuscular, and hepatic fat; blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome score. RESULTS HbA1c decreased similarly in LT+TRT and LT+Pbo groups (-0.5% vs. -0.6%, respectively; p= 0.35). While TRT showed no synergistic effect with LT on ameliorating secondary outcomes, it eliminated the augmentative effect of LT on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (5.4 ± 1.0 mg/dL in LT+Pbo group vs. 0.2 ± 1.1 mg/dL in LT+TRT group, p= 0.01) and adiponectin levels (-408 ± 489 ng/mL in TRT+LT group vs 1832 ± 468 ng/mL in LT+Pbo group, p= 0.02). CONCLUSION In older men with obesity and hypogonadism, adding TRT for six months to LT does not result in further improved cardiometabolic profiles, and could potentially blunt some of the metabolic benefits induced by LT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian M Gonzalez-Gil
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston TX, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX, USA
| | - Yoann Barnouin
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston TX, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alessandra Celli
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston TX, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX, USA
| | - Viola Viola
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston TX, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX, USA
| | - Marcos D Villarreal
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston TX, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX, USA
| | - Maria Liza Duremdes Nava
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston TX, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX, USA
| | - Adam Sciuk
- Section of Radiology, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston TX, USA
| | - Clifford Qualls
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Reina Armamento-Villareal
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston TX, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dennis T Villareal
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston TX, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zitzmann M, Cremers JF, Krallmann C, Soave A, Kliesch S. TRACK_9: Testosterone replacement assessment: Classical vs. functional hypogonadism‐knowledge from a 9‐year study. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38488343 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The longitudinal efficacy and clinical utility of Testosterone Therapy (TTh) in ameliorating functional hypogonadism (FH) remain contentious, with long-term data being scarce. To address this lacuna, a comprehensive long-term registry study, stratifying patients across a spectrum of hypogonadal etiologies, offers a robust investigative paradigm. MATERIALS AND METHODS This 9-year registry, encompassing 650 patients (equivalent to 4,362 cumulative years of treatment), included 188 patients diagnosed with FH (mean age 42.3 ± 11.3 years) and 462 individuals with classical hypogonadism (CH). The cohort segregated into 266 men with primary hypogonadism (PH, mean age 34.0 ± 11.7 years) and 196 with secondary hypogonadism (SH, mean age 31.9 ± 12.0 years). Uniform treatment across the cohort involved intramuscular administration of testosterone undecanoate (1,000 mg). A comparative analysis was conducted focusing on anthropometric, metabolic, and safety parameters. RESULTS Serum testosterone levels increased from 6.6 ± 2.4 to 19.3 ± 2.9 nmol/L (p < 0.001). TTh was linked with weight reduction and decreased waist circumference (WC) in both CH and FH cohorts (both p < 0.001). Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses delineated disparities: men with FH demonstrated a higher propensity for losing > 10% body weight and > 5% WC compared to CH (hazard ratio [HR] 1.3 [1.1-1.4], p = 0.008 and HR 1.4 [1.3-1.5], p = 0.001). Increases in hematocrit > 50% were uniform across groups, albeit amelioration of anemia was more pronounced in FH versus CH (p = 0.002). Increments of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were more likely to occur in FH (HR 1.3 [1.1-1.6], p = 0.003). FH patients exhibited pronounced improvements in metabolic parameters and in aging male symptom score (AMS) and IIEF-EF questionnaire scores. These effects were markedly modulated by age and initial weight. Subgroup analysis of age-matched obese patients revealed an accentuated impact of TTh in CH compared to FH. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The therapeutic outcomes of TTh across distinct hypogonadal populations demonstrate heterogeneous responses, significantly influenced by diagnostic categorization, age, and baseline risk factor profiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Zitzmann
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology of the University, Muenster, Germany
| | | | - Claudia Krallmann
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology of the University, Muenster, Germany
| | - Armin Soave
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology of the University, Muenster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology of the University, Muenster, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dalla Volta A, Palumbo C, Zamboni S, Mazziotti G, Triggiani L, Zamparini M, Maffezzoni F, Rinaudo L, Bergamini M, Di Meo N, Caramella I, Valcamonico F, Borghetti P, Guerini A, Farina D, Antonelli A, Simeone C, Berruti A. Heterogeneity in regional changes in body composition induced by androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer patients: potential impact on bone health-the BLADE study. J Endocrinol Invest 2024; 47:335-343. [PMID: 37458931 PMCID: PMC10859344 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02150-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is not clear whether changes in body composition induced by androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer (PC) patients are uniform or vary in the different body districts and whether regional lean body mass (LBM) and fat body mass (FBM) could have an impact on bone health. OBJECTIVE To prospectively evaluate the regional changes in LBM and FBM in PC patients submitted to degarelix; to explore the relationship of regional body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS 29 consecutive non metastatic PC patients enrolled from 2017 to 2019. FBM, LBM and bone mineral density (BMD) evaluated by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at baseline and after 12-month of ADT. Alkaline phosphate (ALP) and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. INTERVENTION All patients underwent degarelix administration. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS T-test or sign test and Pearson or Spearman test for continuous variables were used when indicated. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Median percent increase in FBM ranged from + 14.5% in trunk to + 25.4% in the left leg after degarelix. LBM changes varied from + 2% in the trunk to - 4.9% in the right arm. LBM in both arms and legs and their variations after degarelix directly correlated with ALP and inversely correlated with CTX. Lean mass of limbs, trunk and legs significantly correlated with BMD of the hip, lean mass of the trunk significantly correlated with spine BMD. These are post-hoc analysis of a prospective study and this is the main limitation. CONCLUSIONS an heterogeneous change in body composition among body district is observed after ADT and bone turnover is influenced by lean mass and its variation. A supervised physical activity is crucial to maintain general physical performance and preserving bone health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Dalla Volta
- Medical Oncology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - C Palumbo
- Division of Urology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
- Urology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - S Zamboni
- Urology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - G Mazziotti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Endocrinology, Diabetology and Medical Andrology Unit, Metabolic Bone Diseases and Osteoporosis Section, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - L Triggiani
- Radiation Oncology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - M Zamparini
- Medical Oncology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - F Maffezzoni
- Endocrinology, Manerbio-Leno, ASST Garda, Montichiari, Italy
| | - L Rinaudo
- Tecnologie Avanzate S.r.l., Turin, Italy
| | - M Bergamini
- Medical Oncology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - N Di Meo
- Radiology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - I Caramella
- Medical Oncology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - F Valcamonico
- Medical Oncology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - P Borghetti
- Radiation Oncology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Guerini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - D Farina
- Radiology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Antonelli
- Division of Urology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
- Urology Unit, AOUI Verona, Department of Surgery, Dentistry, Pediatrics and Gynecology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - C Simeone
- Division of Urology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, Maggiore Della Carità Hospital, Novara, Italy
| | - A Berruti
- Medical Oncology Unit, ASST Spedali Civili, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bathina S, Armamento-Villareal R. The complex pathophysiology of bone fragility in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: therapeutic targets to promote osteogenesis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1168687. [PMID: 37576965 PMCID: PMC10422976 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1168687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fractures associated with Type2 diabetes (T2DM) are major public health concerns in an increasingly obese and aging population. Patients with obesity or T2DM have normal or better than normal bone mineral density but at an increased risk for fractures. Hence it is crucial to understand the pathophysiology and mechanism of how T2DM and obesity result in altered bone physiology leading to increased fracture risk. Although enhanced osteoclast mediated bone resorption has been reported for these patients, the most notable observation among patients with T2DM is the reduction in bone formation from mostly dysfunction in osteoblast differentiation and survival. Studies have shown that obesity and T2DM are associated with increased adipogenesis which is most likely at the expense of reduced osteogenesis and myogenesis considering that adipocytes, osteoblasts, and myoblasts originate from the same progenitor cells. Furthermore, emerging data point to an inter-relationship between bone and metabolic homeostasis suggesting that these physiologic processes could be under the control of common regulatory pathways. Thus, this review aims to explore the complex mechanisms involved in lineage differentiation and their effect on bone pathophysiology in patients with obesity and T2DM along with an examination of potential novel pharmacological targets or a re-evaluation of existing drugs to improve bone homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siresha Bathina
- Division of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Disease, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Reina Armamento-Villareal
- Division of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Disease, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Phua TJ. Understanding human aging and the fundamental cell signaling link in age-related diseases: the middle-aging hypovascularity hypoxia hypothesis. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2023; 4:1196648. [PMID: 37384143 PMCID: PMC10293850 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1196648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Aging-related hypoxia, oxidative stress, and inflammation pathophysiology are closely associated with human age-related carcinogenesis and chronic diseases. However, the connection between hypoxia and hormonal cell signaling pathways is unclear, but such human age-related comorbid diseases do coincide with the middle-aging period of declining sex hormonal signaling. This scoping review evaluates the relevant interdisciplinary evidence to assess the systems biology of function, regulation, and homeostasis in order to discern and decipher the etiology of the connection between hypoxia and hormonal signaling in human age-related comorbid diseases. The hypothesis charts the accumulating evidence to support the development of a hypoxic milieu and oxidative stress-inflammation pathophysiology in middle-aged individuals, as well as the induction of amyloidosis, autophagy, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in aging-related degeneration. Taken together, this new approach and strategy can provide the clarity of concepts and patterns to determine the causes of declining vascularity hemodynamics (blood flow) and physiological oxygenation perfusion (oxygen bioavailability) in relation to oxygen homeostasis and vascularity that cause hypoxia (hypovascularity hypoxia). The middle-aging hypovascularity hypoxia hypothesis could provide the mechanistic interface connecting the endocrine, nitric oxide, and oxygen homeostasis signaling that is closely linked to the progressive conditions of degenerative hypertrophy, atrophy, fibrosis, and neoplasm. An in-depth understanding of these intrinsic biological processes of the developing middle-aged hypoxia could provide potential new strategies for time-dependent therapies in maintaining healthspan for healthy lifestyle aging, medical cost savings, and health system sustainability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teow J. Phua
- Molecular Medicine, NSW Health Pathology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rastrelli G, Vignozzi L, Corona G, Maggi M. Pharmacotherapy of male hypogonadism. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2023; 68:102323. [PMID: 36525815 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hypogonadism is frequent with a prevalence of 2% in the general population. Hypogonadism may derive from any condition able to disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis at one or more levels. Hypogonadism may be classified according to the age of onset, its potential reversibility and level of the HPT axis damage. The latter categorization is useful to decide on the treatment. Damages to the hypothalamus-pituitary may benefit from either GnRH, gonadotropin or T therapy with the former carrying the advantage of stimulating spermatogenesis. Conversely, when the testis is damaged, T therapy is the only option and restoration of spermatogenesis is not possible. Therefore, the choice of therapy is primarily based on the diagnosis and patients' needs and both should be carefully considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Rastrelli
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Mario Serio Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Linda Vignozzi
- Andrology, Women's Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Mario Serio Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Corona
- Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Azienda Usl, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Mario Maggi
- Endocrinology Unit, Mario Serio Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|