Effects of gonadotropin and testosterone treatments on Lipoprotein(a), high density lipoprotein particles, and other lipoprotein levels in male hypogonadism

It is known that lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a) is an independent risk factor for developing atherosclerosis, whereas the LpA-I particle of high density lipoprotein (HDL) is an antiatherogenic factor. The effects of androgen replacement therapy on lipid and lipoproteins have previously been reported in male hypogonadism. However, no study reported the effect of gonadotropin or testosterone treatment on Lp(a), LpA-I, or LpA-I;A-II levels in make hypogonadism. We, therefore, determined Lp(a), LpA-I, LpA-I:A-II, and other lipoprotein levels before and 3 months after treatment in 22 patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) and in 9 patients with Klinefelter's syndrome. All patients had been previously untreated for androgen deficiency. Plasma FSH, LH, PRL, testosterone (T), estradiol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were also determined before and 3 months after treatment. Patients with IHH were treated with hCG/human menopausal gonadotropin, whereas patients with Klinefelter's syndrome r...