[A 70-year-old controversial discussion: spleen and gonad function in medical literature].

The development of a protein-free spleen-dialysate has led to a new discussion arguing about the old question as to whether there is a link between the spleen and the endocrine system. Experimental animal-trials demonstrate that the therapy with spleen dialysate is regarded superior to an adequate dose of gonadotropins. The present contradictory results in the field of spleen research cannot yet offer a valid model of the mechanisms how it works. The therapy with spleen-dialysate in various fields of indications demonstrates first remarkable results without any serious side-effects.