Lack of effect of vasectomy on peripheral gonadotrophin and steroid levels.

In order to re-assess the possible hormonal consequences of male sterilization, the peripheral plasma levels of lutropin (LH) follitropin (FSH), and dihydrotestosterone sulphate (DHT-S) were measured in a group of 20 healthy men at weekly intervals in the month before and at bimonthly intervals up to 2 years after vasectomy. In addition, the levels of 14 steroids of gonadal and/or adrenal origin were measured before, and then every second month (12 subjects) or every sixth month (8 subjects) following vasectomy. No significant alterations were observed in the levels of any of the hormones studied. The results are interpreted as indicating that in the first 2 years following vasectomy in men there is no consistent or progressive change in the peripheral plasma levels of gonadotrophins or in a variety of steroids of testicular and/or adrenocortical origin.