Hormones in the seminal plasma. Cortisol

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Reproductive Biology
• Andrology

Background:

• Previous studies suggest a selective filter for proteic hormones between systemic circulation and the male genital tract.
• Data on sexual steroids are limited regarding their passage through this potential filter.
• Cortisol, a non-sexual steroid, was investigated to assess filter function for smaller molecular weight hormones.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence of a selective hormonal filter in the male reproductive system.
• To determine if cortisol concentrations differ between peripheral blood and seminal plasma.
• To evaluate if these differences are related to sperm parameters.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of cortisol concentrations in peripheral blood and seminal plasma.
• Comparison of cortisol levels between normozoospermic and oligo-azoospermic individuals.
• Statistical analysis to determine significant differences.

Main Results:

• Cortisol concentrations were significantly higher in peripheral blood (176 +/- 59 ng/ml) than in seminal plasma (20 +/- 9.6 ng/ml).
• No significant differences in blood or seminal plasma cortisol levels were observed between normozoospermic and oligo-azoospermic subjects.
• These findings suggest a selective barrier for cortisol passage into the male genital tract.

Conclusions:

• The data support the hypothesis of a selective hormonal filter operating between the systemic circulation and the male genital tract.
• This filter appears to regulate the passage of non-sexual steroids like cortisol.
• The findings have implications for understanding male reproductive physiology and hormone transport.