Searching for the infertile man with hyperprolactinemia.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether routine prolactin measurement was of use when investigating men with infertility. Prolactin levels were slightly higher in men with primary infertility, compared with men with secondary infertility and a fertile control group. Although this slight increase was statistically significant, most readings were within the laboratory normal range in all groups, and we did not find any clinically significant cases of hyperprolactinemia. We conclude that routine prolactin estimation is not justified unless there are other indications, e.g., impotence, dialysis, or a history of previous pituitary disease.