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Journal of Andrology, Vol 1, Issue 3 127-132, Copyright © 1980 by The American Society of Andrology

A Possible Relation between Elevated FSH Levels and Leydig Cell Dysfunction in Azoospermic and Oligospermic Men

LUIS J. RODRIGUEZ-RIGAU 1, KEITH D. SMITH 1, AND EMIL STEINBERGER 1

1 Department of Reproductive Medicine and Biology, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas

Plasma testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured in the male partners of 69 infertile couples and in 260 allegedly fertile men requesting vasectomy. All hormone levels were within normal range in men with total sperm counts (TSCs) above 25 million/ ejaculate, while FSH levels were abnormally elevated in azoospermic subjects and some (not all) men with TSCs below 25 million/ ejaculate. The mean TSC of oligospermic men with elevated FSH levels was not statistically different from the mean TSC of men with normal FSH levels and sperm outputs below 25 million/ejaculate. Thus, the elevation of FSH levels observed in some oligospermic men was not related solely to decreased sperm counts. LH levels were higher in patients with TSCs below 25 million/ejaculate and high FSH levels than in men with TSCs below 25 million/ ejaculate and normal FSH levels. FSH levels were directly correlated with LH levels and negatively correlated with testosterone levels. These results suggest a relation between Leydig cell dysfunction and elevation of FSH levels in oligospermic men.

     Key words: follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, oligospermia, human testis, Leydig cell dysfunction

Submitted on August 13, 1979
Revised on January 28, 1980
Accepted on January 29, 1980






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Copyright © 1980 by The American Society of Andrology.