The effects of FSH, LH, Testosterone on DFI in oligospermia

Background: Male factors are significantly related to 50% of the cases attending infertility Clinics. High levels of DNA fragmentation are often related to declined fertilization rates and embryo development. Evidence suggests that human sperm chromatin anomalies adversely affect reproductive outcomes. Hormones have pivotal roles for spermatogenesis regulation. Spermatogenesis is initiated by the endocrine influence of gonadotrophins that act on the Sertoli cells of the testis.Objective: The aim of this study is the evaluation of the relationship between male reproductive hormones including FSH, LH, and Testosterone with sperm parameters, DFI and consequently its application in infertility treatment.Materials and Methods: Semen samples were taken from men undergoing infertility evaluation for male factor (n=30) and non-male factor (n=30) infertility. 60 male infertility cases of Laleh Hospital in two groups had oligo-spermia, and the control group had normal sperm parameters. These samples were evaluated for sperm parameters using a light microscope and used in TUNEL assay to detect DNA fragmentation in sperm. Blood samples were taken for hormonal assay by ELISA method. Serum samples were analyzed for FSH, LH and Testosterone.Results: Finally, correlation between hormones including FSH, LH, and Testosterone and sperm parameters in addition to DFI was analyzed. Sperm DNA damage is moderately increased in male factor infertility. Our results showed direct relation between the level of FSH, LH and DFI. Excessive increased or decreased testosterone levels were associated with increased DNA damage.Conclusion: Therefore, according to the results of this study, hormonal changes including FSH, LH and Testosterone can reflect DFI and quality of sperm. As a final result, in infertile couples, assessment of hormones and DFI should be done in advance to any clinical approaches.

Keywords:

DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) , Sperm parameters , Infertility , Hormones