Basal prolactin and the behaviour of the gonadotrophins, testosterone, androstenedione, estradiol, and the sex-hormone-binding globulin during stimulation with clomiphene in subjects with spermatogenic disorders.

To clarify the significance of clomiphene test in spermatogenic disorders, it was performed on three groups of subjects: 10 with normozoospermia, 29 with oligozoospermia, and 11 with azoospermia. Two basal blood samples were drawn five days apart; prolactin, FSH, LH, estradiol, testosterone, androstenedione and sex-hormone-binding globulin were determined. 100 mg of clomiphene per day were administered for eleven consecutive days; another sample was drawn on the eleventh day and all the basal parameters, except prolactin, were determined. It may be concluded from the results: a) All the parameters studied increased significantly after clomiphene; and b) Testosterone levels obtained after clomiphene, as well as the increases in this hormone during the test and the ratio delta T/delta LH, were significantly lower in the oligozoospermic group. This finding suggests a decrease in the testicular androgenic function of this group.