Endocrinological investigation of pituitary conadal axis in thalassemia major.

A study of the pituitary gonadal axis was undertaken in 18 male patinets with thalassemia major and 41 normal males, in order to define the cause of the sexual infantilism frequently seen in children affected by this illness. The plasma testosterone level was measured before as well as after stimulatioing prepubertal, pubertal and postpubertal age. Significant findings were an insufficient secretion of gonadotropins as well as low testosterone level in patients of pubertal and post-pubertal age. A normal response of testes to HCG stimulation was also observed.