Reversal of uraemic impotence by zinc
Antoniou, L.D.; Shalhoub, R.J.; Sudhakar, T.; Smith, J.C.
Lancet 2(8044): 895-898
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0140-6736 PMID: 72240 Document Number: 119839
In 8 impotent hemodialyzed men with low plasma Zn levels sexual function, including potency, frequency of intercourse, libido and plasma testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone levels was determined before and after therapy with Zn (4 patients) or placebo (4 patients). Dialytic administration of Zn strikingly improved potency in all patients and raised the plasma-tesosterone to normal in the 2 with low pretreatment plasma-testosterone levels. Placebo did not improve sexual function in any patient. Zn deficiency is a reversible cause of gonadal dysfunction in uremia.