SPERMATOGENIC REBOUND PHENOMENON AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF TESTOSTER ONE PROPIONATE

IN 1939, it was observed and reported by one of us (1) that an azoospermia developed in a man who was treated with testosterone propionate. It was further noted that, whenthe administration of the androgen was discontinued, there was a gradual return of spermatogenesis, which reached not only the pretreatment level but far exceeded it.

Heller, Nelson, Hill, Henderson, Maddock, and Jungck (2) have recently made an admirable study on the effect of testosterone administration upon the testes of androgenically normal men. They obtained testicular biopsy specimens before administration of testosterone, at the end of treatment, and six months to seventeen months after treatment. They found that after administration of a course of testosterone propionate there was a complete disappearance of Leydig cells, marked decrease in the size of the seminiferous tubules, arrest of spermatogenesis or necrosis of the germinal elements, and marked hyalinization of the basement membrane and tunica propria of the tubules. Biopsy specimens taken six months and seventeen months after cessation of treatment showed recovery and, in 5 cases, the testicular structure was appreciably better than in the initial specimens.