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Hormonal and seminal parameters in infertile men.
Andrologia
|November 1, 1986
Summary
Infertility is linked to lower sperm motility and reduced testosterone. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels correlate negatively with sperm count, indicating their role in regulating spermatogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Andrology
- Urology
Background:
- Male infertility affects a significant portion of couples seeking fertility treatment.
- Varicocele is a common condition associated with male infertility, but its precise impact on hormonal status and seminal parameters requires further elucidation.
- Understanding the interplay between seminal quality, hormonal profiles, and varicocele is crucial for diagnosing and managing male infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate seminal parameters and hormonal status in infertile men, with and without left-sided varicocele, compared to fertile controls.
- To assess the relationship between sperm count, sperm motility, and serum testosterone, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels.
- To determine the correlation between gonadotropin levels and sperm output in infertile and fertile men.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of 500 infertile patients (250 with and 250 without left varicocele) and 33 fertile men.
- Assessment of key seminal parameters including sperm count and motility.
- Measurement of serum hormone levels, including testosterone, FSH, and LH.
Main Results:
- Infertile patients exhibited significantly lower sperm motility compared to fertile men, irrespective of sperm density.
- Lower serum testosterone levels were observed in infertile groups, suggesting a common androgenic deficit.
- FSH and LH levels increased significantly as sperm density decreased, showing a strong negative correlation with sperm count, even in non-azoospermic/oligozoospermic men.
Conclusions:
- A common androgenic deficit and reduced sperm motility are characteristic of male infertility, both with and without varicocele.
- Gonadotropins (FSH and LH) are tightly regulated by sperm output, indicating their sensitivity to the spermatogenic potential.
- These findings highlight the complex hormonal and seminal alterations in male infertility and their relationship with sperm production.