Hormonal profiles in blood and seminal plasma of infertile men with and without varicocele

ABSTRACT

Follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], lutenizing hormone [LH], prolactin, testosterone and estradiol were determined in blood seminal plasma of 60 infertile males, 30 had varicocele and 30 without varicocele, together with 10 fertile men who served as controls. FSH was significantly higher in both blood and seminal plasma of infertile men with varicocele compared to the other two groups. LH and prolactin levels in seminal plasmae were insignificantly higher in infertile men with and without varicocele compared with controls. Testosterone and estradiol levels in blood and seminal plasma were significantly lower in the infertile group with varicocele compared to the group without varicocele and the control group. The decreased levels of both steroids in infertile men with varicocele could account for the disturbed function of spermatozoa observed in category of infertile men