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Use of testosterone gel compared to intramuscular formulation for puberty induction in males with constitutional delay of growth and puberty: a preliminary study

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Abstract

Purpose

Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) treatment include observation or therapy with intramuscular testosterone (IMTT). No data are available about transdermal testosterone gel (TTG). The aim of our study was to analyze the use of TTG in males with CDGP.

Methods

73 boys with CDGP were divided into three groups: IMTT treated with 50 mg i.m. testosterone; TTG with 10 mg daily 2% testosterone transdermal gel, and no treatment (CNT). All subjects were observed at baseline and after 6 months.

Results

The height velocity after treatment were statistically higher in both IMTT and TTG compared to CNT, while CNT showed higher increase of the testicular volume. No other differences were recorded between IMTT and TTG.

Conclusions

To our knowledge this is the first study on use of TTG for pubertal activation on CDGP population. Our preliminary data confirm the efficacy of short-term Testosterone gel treatment to induce puberty compared to conventional treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Endocrinology and Diabetic Unit, University Pediatric Department, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, L.go S.Onofrio, 4-00165, Rome, Italy

    Laura Chioma, Giulia Papucci, Danilo Fintini & Marco Cappa

Authors
  1. Laura Chioma
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  2. Giulia Papucci
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  3. Danilo Fintini
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  4. Marco Cappa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Danilo Fintini.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Chioma, L., Papucci, G., Fintini, D. et al. Use of testosterone gel compared to intramuscular formulation for puberty induction in males with constitutional delay of growth and puberty: a preliminary study. J Endocrinol Invest 41, 259–263 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-017-0726-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-017-0726-7

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