Differential effects of testosterone on circulating neutrophils, monocytes, and platelets in men: Findings from two trials

Abstract

Background: Testosterone treatment increases erythrocytes in men, but its effects on leukocyte and platelet counts are unknown and could affect its safety. Objective: To determine whether testosterone affects circulating leukocytes and platelets in men. Methods: Secondary analyses of two randomized testosterone trials were performed: the 5α-reductase (5aR) and OPTIMEN trials. In 5aR trial, 102 healthy men, 21-50 years (mean age 38), received a long-acting GnRH agonist, and 50, 125, 300, or 600 mg/week testosterone enanthate (TE) plus placebo or 2.5 mg/day dutasteride for 20 weeks. In OPTIMEN, 78 functionally limited men, ≥65 years (mean age 72) with protein intake ≤ 0.83 g kg−1 day−1, were randomized to controlled diets with 0.8 g kg−1 day−1 protein or 1.3 g kg−1 day−1 protein plus placebo or TE (100 mg/week) for 6 months. Changes from baseline in total and differential leukocyte count, and platelet count were evaluated. Results: In 5aR, testosterone administration was associated with increases in total leukocyte (estimated change from baseline 40, 490, 1230, and 1280 cells/µL, P