Thyroid hormones and thyroid antibodies in infertile males.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence of thyroid dysfunction, thyroid antibodies, and the correlation with semen and hormonal parameters in infertile men.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University-based andrology laboratory.


METHODS
Three hundred five infertile men with idiopathic infertility.


METHODS
Medical history, clinical examination, semen analysis, measurement of free thyroxin (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), basal thyroid-stimulating hormone (bTSH), LH, FSH, T, free testosterone (fT), PRL, E2, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), DHEAS, and the thyroid antibodies thyreoglobulin antibody (TGA), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab), and thyroid receptor antibody (TRAK).


METHODS
Incidence of thyroid dysfunction and thyroid antibodies, as well as the correlation with hormones and the results of semen analyses.


RESULTS
No manifest thyroid dysfunction was observed. Latent thyroid dysfunction and latent hypothyroidism were diagnosed in 11.5% and 3% of infertile men, respectively. No correlation between thyroid dysfunction and semen parameters was detected. bTSH correlated significantly with PRL (P<.001). Thyroid antibodies were elevated in 7.5%. Elevated TPO-Ab were significantly correlated with pathozoospermia (P=.036) and asthenozoospermia (P=.049).


CONCLUSIONS
Latent thyroid dysfunction had no impact on semen parameters. In patients with elevated TPO-Ab levels, pathozoospermia or asthenozoospermia should be considered.
Trummer
H
H
Department of Urology, Karl-Franzens University Graz, Graz, Austria. harald.trummer@kfunigraz.ac.at
Ramschak-Schwarzer
S
S
Haas
J
J
Habermann
H
H
Pummer
K
K
Leb
G
G
D000328:Adult; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D018828:Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating / Q000097:blood*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase / Q000276:immunology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / Q000276:immunology; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D014284:Triiodothyronine / Q000097:blood*
D018828:Immunoglobulins, Thyroid-Stimulating; D011988:Receptors, Thyroid Hormone; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D014284:Triiodothyronine; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D007453:Iodide Peroxidase