Seminal estrone, estrone sulfate, and estradiol-17 beta levels in fertile and infertile males.
The seminal levels of estrone (E1), estrone sulphate (E1S), and estradiol-17 beta (E2) were measured simultaneously after a chromatographic step in the semen samples of 79 men, including fertile volunteers, vasectomized subjects, and patients with oligozoospermia and secretory azoospermia. E1S concentrations in seminal plasma were higher than in serum (with a semen/serum ratio of approximately 2). Seminal E1 and E1S levels in oligozoospermic subjects were significantly decreased compared to controls (p less than 0.02 and p less than 0.03, respectively). The seminal E1S concentration was significantly reduced in azoospermic patients (p less than 0.02) and to a greater extent in vasectomized subjects (p less than 0.001). As seminal E1S is likely to be mainly of testicular origin, the decreased seminal E1S levels in oligoazoospermia are an index of impaired testicular function.
Santiemma
V
V
Department of Experimental Medicine, La Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
Rosati
P
P
Fazzi
V
V
Bolelli
G F
GF
Guerzoni
C
C
Fabbrini
A
A
D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism*; D004970:Estrone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000378:metabolism; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*; D014659:Vasectomy
D004970:Estrone; D004958:Estradiol; C017296:estrone sulfate