OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of routine hormone evaluation in all men presenting for infertility by understanding the relationship between sperm concentration and hypoandrogenism.
METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study between September 2013 and May 2014 at a tertiary referral center in Utah. Ninety-four men presenting for infertility consecutively between the ages of 18 and 55 years were identified. Our primary outcome was rate of hypoandrogenism among infertile men defined as the baseline total serum testosterone levels < 300 ng/dL or bioavailable testosterone (BAT) levels < 155 ng/dL. Secondary outcomes included association of normospermia, oligozoospermia, or azoospermia with biochemical or clinical hypoandrogenism.
RESULTS: Thirty-nine men (41%) had a total serum testosterone level of < 300 ng/dL, and 41 men (43%) had a BAT level < 155 ng/dL. Biochemical and symptomatic hypoandrogenism was common; 17 men (18%) had a total testosterone level < 300 ng/dL and ≥3 positive Androgen Deficiency in Aging Male (ADAM) responses, and 18 men (19%) had a BAT level of < 155 ng/dL and ≥3 positive ADAM responses. Sperm concentration (normospermia, oligozoospermia, and azoospermia) was not associated with biochemical hypoandrogenism (total testosterone level < 300 ng/dL or BAT level < 155 ng/dL), symptomatic hypoandrogenism (≥3 positive ADAM responses), or sexual dysfunction (Sexual Health Inventory for Men score < 21).
CONCLUSION: Hypoandrogenism is common among infertile men, and routine hormonal evaluation may identify hypoandrogenism in many infertile men with otherwise normal semen analysis. Sperm concentration (normospermia, oligozoospermia, and azoospermia) is not well associated with hypoandrogenism in infertile men.
Written by:
Patel DP, Brant WO, Myers JB, Zhang C, Presson AP, Johnstone EB, Dorais JA, Aston KI, Carrell DT, Hotaling JM. Are you the author?
The Center for Reconstructive Urology and Men's Health, Division of Urology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; Division of Urology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; The Center for Reconstructive Urology and Men's Health, Division of Urology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; Division of Urology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; Division of Epidemiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT; Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT.
Reference: Urology. 2015 Feb 28. pii: S0090-4295(15)00040-0.
doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2015.01.014
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25735445
Go "Beyond the Abstract" - Read an article written by the authors for UroToday.com