Effect of growth hormone treatment on testicular function, puberty, and adrenarche in boys with non-growth hormone–deficient short stature: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of growth hormone (GH) therapy on pubertal onset, pubertal pace, adult testicular function, and adrenarche in boys with non-GH-deficient short stature. Study design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. GH (0.074 mg/kg, subcutaneously, 3 times per week) or placebo treatment was initiated in prepubertal or early pubertal boys and continued until near final height was reached (n = 49). Statistical significance was assessed by survival analysis, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and Student t test. Results: GH therapy did not affect the age at pubertal onset, defined either by testicular volume >4 mL or by testosterone concentration >1.0 nmol/L (30 ng/dL). GH treatment also did not affect the pace of puberty, defined either by the rate of change in testicular volume or testosterone concentration during the 4 years after pubertal onset. In boys followed up to age ≥16 years during the study, there were no significant differences in final testicular volume or in plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone, or follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations. The pace of adrenarche, assessed by change in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels over time, also did not differ significantly between the GH and placebo groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that GH treatment does not cause testicular damage, alter the onset or pace of puberty, or alter the pace of adrenarche in boys with non-GH-deficient short stature. (J Pediatr 2001;138:406-10)