Aims: Infertility in patients with posterior urethral valves (PUV) is known but the exact incidence and etiology is still speculative; it may be partly due to dysfunction of genital organs. The aim of this study is to analyse the hormonal profile of post-pubertal patients with PUV.
Materials and methods: All post-pubertal patients with posterior urethral valves (age > 16 years) visiting the follow-up urology clinic of our department from 1985 to December 1999 were contacted and requested to participate in the study; 9 patients agreed and form the study group. The medical records were reviewed. Physical examination included examination of the genitalia and secondary sexual characteristics. Blood samples were taken for estimation of lutenizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin and testosterone.
Results: Ages ranged from 16 - 21 years (mean age = 17.5 years). Physical examination was normal for the entire study group except for 2 patients; one patient had hypertension and the other had unilateral undescended testis at the time of initial presentation. Secondary sexual characteristics were normal in all patients. At the time of the study, one patient had chronic renal failure; in the others the renal function tests were normal. LH and testosterone were normal in all patients including the patient with unilateral undescended testis, and one patient had marginally elevated FSH. Hyperprolactinemia was noted in 5 of 9 patients.
Conclusion: In the present study, hyperprolactinemia was seen in 62 % (5 of 9) patients. Hyperprolactinemia is known to cause slow ejaculation and can have an impact on the subsequent fertility status of these patients. The bearing of these findings on subsequent sexual and fertility functions of PUV patients requires further investigation.