MORPHOLOGY OF THE TESTES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

TESTES FUNCTION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: REVIEW OF LITERATURE  SINCE the early conceptualizations of dementia praecox, or, as it is now more commonly designated, schizophrenia, by Kraepelin¹ and Bleuler,² attention has been directed toward the possible occurrence of endocrine abnormalities during the course of the illness. Leading to this interest were the early observations of striking abnormalities in the psychosexual field manifest prior to and during the course of the illness. Heterosexual object relations are inadequate; marriage occurs infrequently, and homosexuality is common, both in latent and in overt forms.³These clinical abnormalities involving psychosexuality led to postulations and investigations of possible alterations in gonadal function and structure in schizophrenia. Kraepelin¹ originally considered that dementia praecox was attributable to an autointoxication arising in the gonads, and, although he later relinquished this idea, he continued to believe that a metabolic intoxication caused the illness. Mott and co-workers⁴ made