The relationship between plasma levels of gonadotropins, androgens, and prolactin in azoospermic men with their testicular spermatogenic pattern.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship between plasma levels of gonadotropins, androgens, and PRL with testicular spermatogenic pattern.


METHODS
Patient series.


METHODS
University affiliated medical center.


METHODS
One hundred twenty azoospermic infertile men.


METHODS
Testicular fine needle aspirations and determination of plasma levels of FSH, LH, T, free T, and PRL.


METHODS
Gonadotropins, androgens, and PRL plasma levels as a diagnostic criterion of testicular spermatogenic patterns.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences were detected in plasma levels of LH, androgens, and PRL among patients with Sertoli cell only, spermatogenic arrest, or full spermatogenesis. Elevated plasma levels of FSH threefold above the upper normal limit preclude, with a probability of 95%, the existence of full testicular spermatogenesis, but are not valid for the diagnosis of either Sertoli cell only syndrome or spermatogenic arrest.


CONCLUSIONS
Luteinizing hormone, androgens, and PRL plasma levels are of no diagnostic value in predicting any specific spermatogenic pattern, and plasma FSH levels can not be used for diagnosing Sertoli cell only syndrome.
Bar-On
E
E
Male Infertility Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Weiss
D B
DB
Gottschalk-Sabag
S
S
Zukerman
Z
Z
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000728:Androgens; D006062:Gonadotropins; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone