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Thyroid, spermatogenesis, and male infertility

Singh Rajender1, Marie Gray Monica, Lee Walter

  • 1Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, UP, India.

Frontiers in Bioscience (Elite Edition)
|May 31, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Thyroid hormones significantly impact male fertility by affecting testicular development and sperm quality. Thyroid dysfunction can cause reversible male infertility, but further research is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Urology

Background:

  • Thyroid hormone receptors are present in the testes, suggesting a role in male reproductive function.
  • Numerous studies over the past 30 years have explored the connection between thyroid function and male fertility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the existing literature on the impact of thyroid hormones on male reproductive health.
  • To discuss the effects of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on spermatogenesis and male infertility.
  • To outline management strategies for thyroid-related abnormal semen parameters.

Main Methods:

  • An exhaustive literature search was performed to gather relevant research articles.
  • The review synthesizes findings on thyroid's influence on testicular development, sperm parameters, and infertility.

Main Results:

  • Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in testicular development.
  • Abnormal thyroid profiles negatively affect semen quality, including testicular size, sperm motility, and ejaculate volume.
  • Thyroid disease is linked to impaired spermatogenesis and can lead to male infertility.

Conclusions:

  • A significant association exists between thyroid hormones, testicular development, and spermatogenesis.
  • Thyroid dysfunction can cause reversible male infertility.
  • Further studies, particularly in post-pubertal males, are required to solidify these findings.

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