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Abnormalities of sex hormones in men with systemic lupus erythematosus

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Summary

Sex hormone concentrations were studied in 10 men with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) before and after HCG stimulation and compared with those of 10 healthy volunteers. The SLE men had significantly lower testosterone/estradiol ratios (before HCG test) and significantly lower mean increases in testosterone after HCG stimulation than the normals. Our findings confirm that there are sexual hormone abnormalities in SLE and suggest that these abnormal patterns may be important in the modulation of immune responses in SLE.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Rheumatology, University of Milan Gaetano Pini, Orthopaedic Institute, Milan

    M. Carrabba, M. Chevallard & M. Angelini

  2. Chair of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Italy

    C. Giovine

  3. Chair of Medicine II, University of Milan, Italy

    B. Ambrosi & P. Travaglini

Authors
  1. M. Carrabba
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  2. C. Giovine
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  3. M. Chevallard
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  4. M. Angelini
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  5. B. Ambrosi
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  6. P. Travaglini
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Carrabba, M., Giovine, C., Chevallard, M. et al. Abnormalities of sex hormones in men with systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Rheumatol 4, 420–425 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02031894

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02031894

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