Seminal fluid and hormonal profiles among Iraqi patients with male infertility

ABSTRACT

The aims of this case-control study were to identify the seminal fluid patterns in Iraqi men with infertility as well as in fertile controls. Also, to demonstrate the types of serum hormones [Follice Stimulating Hormone [FSH], Leutinizing [LH], Testosterone and Prolactin] abnormalities in the study groups. 81 Iraqi men with infertility and 30 fertile men who fulfilled the selection criteria to whom Seminal Fluid Analysis [SFA] was performed according to WHO method. The patients group was subdivided by sperm concentration into azoospermic, oligoasthenozoospermic and oligozoospermic subgroups. Serum levels of the hormones [Testosterone, FSH, LH and Prolactin] were measured for patients and controls using ELIZA immunoassays. Seminal fluid analysis parameters mean levels and serum hormone levels were compared for the groups using Analysis of Variance test. Iraqi infertile men showed lower values for SFA parameters than did the controls. Patients with azoospermia showed the most remarkable hormonal abnormalities especially in the levels of serum FSH and Testosterone. Patients also demonstrated multiple abnormalities in seminal fluid parameters. There were significant differences in the serum sex hormone levels between the patients and control groups and among the infertile men subgroups. Seminal fluid abnormalities among Iraqi patients with male infertility are multicomponents. Hormonal profiles for these patients do not follow a single pattern. Patients with low sperm concentration and especially those with azoospermia are those that most likely will get benefit from hormonal assays. Serum FSH and Testosterone are the best 2 hormones for initial male infertility evaluation