Hormonal abnormalities in azoospermic men in Kano, Northern Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
We undertook this study to observe the pattern of hormonal abnormalities and testicular pathology in azoospermic male Africans in Kano, Northern Nigeria.


METHODS
Eighty consecutive azoospermic infertile males attending fertility clinic in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, were selected for the study. Their semen were analyzed three times at eight weeks interval, after which serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and prolactin were assayed in serum samples, and histological examination of testicular biopsies done.


RESULTS
Of the 80 subjects studied, 32 (40%) had abnormal hormonal levels, 48 (60%) had normal hormonal values and 36 (45%) had testicular pathology.


CONCLUSIONS
Endocrinopathies are common in azoospermia. Their contribution to male factor infertility cannot be overemphasized. The main reason for the endocrinopathies is not known but environmental factors, endocrine disruptors and genetic polymorphism have been suggested to be contributory.
Emokpae
M A
MA
Department of Chemical Pathology, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria. biodunemokpae@yahoo.com
Uadia
P O
PO
Mohammed
A Z
AZ
Omale-Itodo
A
A
D053713:Azoospermia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D013076:Sperm Count; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone