The relationship between plasma levels of gonadotropins, androgens, and prolactin in azoospermic men with their testicular spermatogenic pattern.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between plasma levels of gonadotropins, androgens, and PRL with testicular spermatogenic pattern.

DESIGN

Patient series.

SETTING

University affiliated medical center.

PATIENTS

One hundred twenty azoospermic infertile men.

INTERVENTIONS

Testicular fine needle aspirations and determination of plasma levels of FSH, LH, T, free T, and PRL.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Gonadotropins, androgens, and PRL plasma levels as a diagnostic criterion of testicular spermatogenic patterns.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were detected in plasma levels of LH, androgens, and PRL among patients with Sertoli cell only, spermatogenic arrest, or full spermatogenesis. Elevated plasma levels of FSH threefold above the upper normal limit preclude, with a probability of 95%, the existence of full testicular spermatogenesis, but are not valid for the diagnosis of either Sertoli cell only syndrome or spermatogenic arrest.

CONCLUSIONS

Luteinizing hormone, androgens, and PRL plasma levels are of no diagnostic value in predicting any specific spermatogenic pattern, and plasma FSH levels can not be used for diagnosing Sertoli cell only syndrome.