Leydig cell function in idiopathic oligospermia.
To assess Leydig cell function in men with idiopathic oligospermia, serum levels of testosterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were measured before and after the administration of human chorionic gonadotopin (hCG) to men with oligospermia (< 20 x 10(6) sperm/ml). Serum testosterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels, both basally and after 2 or 72 hours of hCG stimulation of Leydig cell output, were the same in the oligospermic and control groups, although basal serum testosterone levels correlated directly with sperm density (r = 0.34; P < 0.05). The basal serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH) was slightly but significantly higher in the oligospermic group than in the control group (12.0 +/- 1.0 [SE] mIU/ml versus 9.5 +/- 0.5; P < 0.05), as was the LH:testosterone ratio (2.45 +/- 0.20 versus 1.74 +/- 0.20; P < 0.02). The combination of slightly elevated serum LH levels with unchanged basal serum levels of gonadal steroids suggests that men with idiopathic oligospermia have a mild, compensated Leydig cell defect. The mildness of this defect is reflected by the ability of maximal gonadotropic stimulation to increase androgen output.
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000097:blood; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone