The effect of opium on serum LH, FSH and testosterone concentration in addicted men

Background: Fertility is considered as a life conservative phenomenon among married couples which can be obliterated by various conditions affecting both males and females. In the other hand addiction is a problem which increasingly developed among the various populations throughout the world, and there are evidences that addiction may affect the hypothalamous-pituitary-gonadal axis and sexual functions.The precise pharmacological effects of chronic use of opium on serum level of gonadotropins and male sex hormones are not studied extensively. This study was conducted to investigate the changes in these parameters in opium addicted men. Materials and Methods: The blood samples from 46 opium addicts and 46 normal men were taken, and the testosterone, LH and FSH levels in serum were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique using a LKB gamma counter. Results: The result of this study showed that the serum testosterone in opium addicts were decreased significantly compared to the controls (p < 0.01). This reduction was directly proportional to the duration of opium usage. The LH and FSH level in opium addicts showed also significant reduction compared to the controls (p < 0.01and p < 0.05 respectively). Conclusion: According to our findings the chronic use of opium can cause significant decrease in the functions of hypophysiol gonadal secretion which may led to sexual suppression and infertility which needs further investigations.