[Seminal parameters and androgens concentration in seminal plasma].
Basing on data from the literature authors present possible relation between seminal plasma levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone and disturbances of spermatogenesis. Review of the literature shows that androgens present in the seminal fluid may influence final seminal parameters and sperm fertilizing capacity. Most findings indicate that DHT is the androgen most closely related to spermquality. Many studies confirm that DHT concentration in sperm is significantly lower in infertile men affected by azoospermia or oligozoospermia and also in men with varicoceles. Improvement of seminal parameters and increase of DHT seminal plasma level was observed after varicocelectomy. The data shows that DHT values in ejaculate were lower in men with varicoceles and DHT seminal plasma levels increased in men whose sperm parameters improved after varicocelectomy. Several authors suggest that the low concentration of DHT in sperm could be a marker of azoospermia of obstructive origin. Positive correlation between DHT level in seminal plasma and sperm motility was also observed. In most of research there was no correlation between testosterone concentration in seminal fluid and sperm motility. A few authors reported that there was no difference in testosterone level in normo-, oligo- and azoospermic men, but recent studies indicate that the concentrations of both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone are significantly lower in samples from patients with abnormal sperm characteristics than in men with normozoospermia. Some investigators have suggested that an appropriate ratio of free testosterone to free estradiol in semen may be crucial in the processes that lead to fertilization and that there is no correlation between sperm density and level of testosterone in seminal plasma. Authors of the article emphasize that measurement of androgen in seminal plasma and usefulness of these parameters in clinical practice are underestimated.
Polkowski
P
P
Katedra i Klinika Endokrynologii i Diabetologii Akademii Medycznej we Wrocławiu.
Medraś
M
M
Szczesny
M
M
D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism*
D000728:Androgens