Circulating levels of inhibin, prolactin, TSH, LH, and FSH in benign prostatic hypertrophy before and after tumor resection.

Using specific radioimmunoassays, serum prolactin, TSH, LH, FSH, and inhibin levels were estimated in normal subjects and in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) before and after tumor resection. In the case of BPH, there was a significant rise in inhibin levels as compared to age-matched control groups, whereas LH and FSH levels were decreased significantly. The levels of inhibin and prolactin were significantly reduced after surgery, but no consistent changes in LH, FSH, or TSH levels were noted. The changes observed in hormonal levels in the BPH patients were not related to patient's age or size of the tumor.