GH/IGF-I axis in azoospermia in primary and secondary hypogonadism: a study before and during replacement therapy

The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (GH/IGF-I) axis was studied in 15 azoospermic patients and in 10 control men. Eight patients were affected by hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism and 7 by hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. All were studied before and during replacement therapy with testosterone and gonadotrophin, respectively, using the alpha 2 adrenergic agonist, clonidine (clonidine test). The data demonstrate no differences in basal levels for IGF-I and for the GH response to clonidine in azoospermic patients, affected by primary and secondary hypogonadism, before and during replacement therapy when compared with control fertile men. In contrast to some studies which describe a reduced GH response in azoospermia and oligozoospermia, we conclude that basal serum levels of IGF-I and the GH response to clonidine are not impaired in azoospermic patients affected by primary hypogonadism before and after the restoration of normal androgenization, and in azoospermic patients affected by secondary hypogonadism, both before and after restoration of spermatogenesis.