Endocrine Abstracts

Background and objective: Azoospermia is the total absence of sperm cells from a patient semen sample. It could be obstructive or non-obstructive and this is associated with chromosomal defects, infections, gonadotrophins imbalance, etc. in the patient.

The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of secondary testicular failure in azoospermic patients in Plateau State as it is associated with gonadotrophins.

Method: Eighty-six azoospermic infertile male patients attending the centre for reproductive health research between 1995 and 2009 were selected for this study and their personal history were also taken. Semen samples were collected twice by masturbation within 6 weeks and analysed, using WHO laboratory manual for the examination of human semen and sperm-cervical mucus interaction. Subsequently their blood samples were collected for FSH, LH and using enzyme immunoassay method, with automated serozyme, hormonal assays results were obtained.

Results: Eighty-six azoospermic patients samples for semen and blood for FSH, LH were studied. Thirty (35%) had high FSH and LH, 44 (51%) had high FSH and normal LH, 5 (6%) had high FSH and below normal LH, 7 (8%) had normal FSH and LH. Isolated increase in FSH and LH is 35±24.7, 24±10. Azoospermia patients with normal FSH and LH, 5±1.3, 8±3.3. Below LH normal 0.5±1.0.

Conclusion: Ninety-two percent of the azoospermic patients studied had gonadotrophins imbalance and this account for secondary testicular failure in these patients and while 8% had normal gonadotrophins level (FSH and LH). Endocrinopathies are common cause of azoospermia and account for higher percentage of secondary testicular failure in azoospermia patients in Plateau State. The main reason for endocrinopathies is not known but environmental factors, endocrine disruptors, and genetic polymorphism have been suggested to be contributory.