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Pituitary Hypogonadism, Hyperprolactinemia, and Gonadotropin-Producing Tumors

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Andrology

Abstract

Pituitary-induced hypogonadism may be hereditary or acquired. In most cases, adenomas are the cause of pituitary-induced hypogonadism. Adenomas can be treated with medication and/or neurosurgery. This often results in the restoration of function of at least some hormonal axes. In general, in cases of pituitary insufficiency that cannot be treated causally, the hormone at the end of the signal chain is substituted, in men this is testosterone. Subsequently, the administration of thyroid hormones, cortisol, and, if necessary, growth hormone must be considered. If the neurohypophysis fails, ADH is administered. An exception to the otherwise usual testosterone administration is when progeny is desired. Here, testicular function with sufficient testosterone production and spermatogenesis must be induced or maintained by administration of gonadotropins.

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Zitzmann, M., Behre, H.M. (2023). Pituitary Hypogonadism, Hyperprolactinemia, and Gonadotropin-Producing Tumors. In: Nieschlag, E., Behre, H.M., Kliesch, S., Nieschlag, S. (eds) Andrology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31574-9_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31574-9_15

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