Semen characteristics and serum and seminal plasma hormones in drug-induced hyperprolactinaemia.
Semen volume, density, motility, viability, and morphology of spermatozoa, and serum and seminal plasma levels of the hormones FSH, LH, prolactin, progesterone, 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, dihidrotestosterone, and estradiol 17-beta have been measured in 22 men subjected to experimental hyperprolactinaemia by the simultaneous administration of the antidopaminergic drugs metoclopramide and sulpiride. Hyperprolactinaemia produces a decrease of semen volume and seminal quality. In hyperprolactinaemia, normozoospermic patients had an increase of serum androstenedione. In both normo- and oligozoospermic groups, a decrease of serum testosterone was observed. Hyperprolactinaemia also causes an inhibition of the secretory activity of the accessory sexual glands of the reproductive tract, as well as either a decrease of 17-ketosteroid reductase or an increase of 17-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (enzymes that participate in the androstenedione-testosterone interconversions). This change appears to be more pronounced in individuals with good seminal quality.
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000494:pharmacology; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000378:metabolism; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012661:Semen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000494:pharmacology
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006065:Gonadotropins, Pituitary; D013469:Sulpiride; D011388:Prolactin; D008787:Metoclopramide