Semen quality in men with disseminated testicular cancer: relation with human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit and pituitary gonadal hormones.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the semen quality and hormonal status between patients with testicular cancer and normal versus increased serum levels of beta-hCG.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Academic research environment.


METHODS
All 203 patients with testicular cancer who required chemotherapy in the period 1995-2003 were included.


METHODS
In 107 patients semen samples were stored by cryopreservation; 62 patients could be analyzed because both semen was stored and hormones were determined before starting chemotherapy (median age 25 years, range 17-49 years).


METHODS
Total motile sperm count, T, E(2), LH, FSH, and PRL.


RESULTS
Total motile sperm count was decreased in patients with increased beta-hCG (median 11.9 x 10(6)) compared with patients with normal beta-hCG (median 21.5 x 10(6)). Testosterone, E(2), and PRL were significantly higher in patients with increased beta-hCG levels, whereas LH and FSH were lower. Semen quality was significantly and negatively correlated with beta-hCG, E(2), and PRL.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with increased beta-hCG had an inferior spermatogenesis compared with patients with normal beta-hCG. Increased beta-hCG appears to be associated with impaired spermatogenesis and increased levels of E(2) and PRL.
de Bruin
Daphne
D
Department of Urology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands. d.de.bruin@uro.umcg.nl
de Jong
Igle J
IJ
Arts
Eugène G J M
EG
Nuver
Janine
J
Dullaart
Robin P F
RP
Sluiter
Willem J
WJ
Hoekstra
Harald J
HJ
Sleijfer
Dirk T
DT
Gietema
Jourik A
JA
D000328:Adult; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009919:Orchiectomy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone