Impaired growth hormone secretion and increased growth hormone-binding protein levels in subfertile males.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate GH secretion in subfertile males.


METHODS
Comparing GH secretion to a GH stimulation test in two different patient groups and in a control group.


METHODS
Nine oligozoospermic patients, nine asthenozoospermic patients, and nine age- and body mass index-matched fertile males with normal spermograms.


METHODS
All subjects underwent an IV arginine GH stimulation test.


METHODS
Serum levels of FSH, LH, PRL, E2, T, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and GH-binding protein were measured.


RESULTS
Basal levels of GH were similar in all three groups and serum GH increased in all groups after arginine. However, there was a significant difference between the two patient groups and the control group characterized by an impaired GH response in the subfertile patients. Serum FSH and serum GH-binding protein were significantly higher in the patient groups compared with the controls. Serum LH, PRL, T, E2, and IGF-I were similar in all three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that subfertile men may suffer from relative GH insufficiency, which could have therapeutical implications.
Ovesen
P
P
Aarhus Kommunehospital, Denmark.
Jørgensen
J O
JO
Kjaer
T
T
Ho
K K
KK
Orskov
H
H
Christiansen
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000378:metabolism*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000378:metabolism
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone; C051815:somatotropin-binding protein