[Endocrine function of the testes, gonadotropic and lactotropic activity of the adenohypophysis in impotence among older men].

Endocrine function of the testes, gonadotropic and lactotropic activity of the adenohypophysis have been studied in elderly men with functional sex disorders and during climacterium virile using a radioimmunoassay to determine the levels of testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin in the peripheral blood plasma. Pathological climacterium virile develops in the presence of sharply raised FSH and prolactin production, an elevated LH level, a decreased T level and a sharp rise of the E2 level.