Effect of renal transplantation on sperm quality and sex hormone levels.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of successful renal transplantation on semen variables, sexual function and sex hormone profiles in a clinical trial.


METHODS
Thirty patients on haemodialysis underwent renal transplantation; before and after surgery, their sperm density, motility and morphology were analysed, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin and testosterone levels measured and compared, and sexual function assessed using an abbreviated version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), with a successful outcome defined as a level of satisfaction of 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale. The paired t-test was used to assess the statistically significance of differences in all analyses.


RESULTS
Sperm motility improved significantly (P < 0.001) but there were no significant changes in morphology or density (P = 0.33 and 0.068, respectively). Testosterone levels increased and FSH, LH and prolactin decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after renal transplantation. The IIEF showed that of the 30 patients, 14 were impotent before surgery and only six remained so afterward (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although sperm morphology and density did not improve after renal transplantation, there were highly significant changes in sperm motility. Hormonal levels in patients on haemodialysis improved after transplantation and returned to nearly normal; sexual function was also significantly better. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
Akbari
F
F
IVF Unit, Mirzakoochak Khan Hospital, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Alavi
M
M
Esteghamati
A
A
Mehrsai
A
A
Djaladat
H
H
Zohrevand
R
R
Pourmand
G
G
D000328:Adult; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000150:complications; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone