Gonadal Function Abnormalities in Sickle Cell Anemia

    November 1976 in “ Annals of Internal Medicine ”
    Ali A. Abbasi
    TLDR Sickle cell anemia causes hormone issues and delayed puberty due to testicular failure.
    In a study of 32 adult patients with sickle cell anemia, 29 exhibited abnormal secondary sex characteristics, and all but one had eunuchoidal skeletal proportions. Pubic hair growth stages were delayed compared to normal individuals. Hormonal assays in 14 patients revealed lower levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and androstenedione, indicating primary testicular failure. Additionally, erythrocyte and hair zinc concentrations were significantly decreased, with a positive correlation between erythrocyte zinc and serum testosterone levels. The study concluded that androgen deficiency in sickle cell anemia was due to primary hypogonadism, and further research was needed to explore zinc's role in testicular failure.
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