Association of elevated estradiol with remote testicular trauma in young infertile men.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of remote testicular trauma and of possible related permanent hormonal and seminal changes in infertile men.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical study of hormonal and seminal parameters in a subpopulation of infertile men.


METHODS
Andrology Clinic in an academic research environment.


METHODS
Infertile men, with and without history of remote testicular trauma, and fertile volunteers.


METHODS
Percentage of infertile men with history of blunt testicular trauma, concentrations of reproductive hormones, and semen parameters.


RESULTS
Significant remote blunt testicular trauma was reported by 16.8% of infertile men. This had occurred 2 to 17 years (mean, 16.4 years) before evaluation, mostly with contact sports at adolescent age. Estradiol concentrations after testicular trauma were 19% and 25% higher than in infertile men without history of testicular injury and in fertile controls. Elevated E2 levels did not correlate with T. Infertile men with and without history of testicular trauma showed changes in seminal parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of remote blunt testicular trauma in infertile men is unexpectedly high. After injury, FSH-stimulated aromatization of T may increase testicular E2 production, interfere with spermatogenesis, and cause infertility. Consistent use of protective devices in contact sports is recommended.
Nolten
W E
WE
Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Viosca
S P
SP
Korenman
S G
SG
Mardi
R
R
Shapiro
S S
SS
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013737:Testis / Q000293:injuries*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D004958:Estradiol