In females, eggs in the ovary ripen in response to hormones released by the anterior pituitary gland. In males, sperm is produced in the testes. Like the ovaries, the testes receive hormonal signals from the pituitary, which receives signals from the hypothalamus. Fertility can be reduced by iron overload in the pituitary gland. The damage that results prevents the release of pituitary hormones in response to signals from the hypothalamus.
Iron overload can also occur in the hypothalamus.
Infertility may result when iron overload in the ovaries or testes causes damage to the egg or sperm cells. It seems that the best approach to trying to prevent reduced fertility or infertility is controlling iron levels. The body is unable to get rid of the excess iron it accumulates from chronic blood transfusions. This medication is usually administered five to seven nights a week through a pump that slowly infuses the desferrioxamine beneath the skin over several hours. Studies suggest that effective use of desferrioxamine can lead to normal sexual maturation.