Prolactin and male infertility

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Male infertility due to endocrine disturbances is seen among 1% of couples seeking medical help for childlessness. Effects of prolactin on the male reproductive system are not fully understood. Objective was to determine prolactin level in healthy males with infertility. METHODS: A case control study recruited 297 males attending infertility clinics in a government or private institution over a period of 54 months. A detailed clinical assessment of reproductive health was carried out. All underwent a -basic seminal fluid analysis (BSA) and an endocrine profile consisting of FSH, LH, testosterone and prolactin (PRL) hormones carried out using the immulite random access chemiluminescent immunoassay method (normal range 2.5-17ng/ml). Age, weight and height matched volunteers comprised the control group. RESULTS: None of the cases had any anatomical, medical or surgical disorder which could account for the infertility. Among the controls, mean age was 33.2yrs ±5.2, BMI 21.04 kgm-2 ±1.39, BSA 34xl06± 7.87x106, number of children fathered 2 ±1, PRL 6.78ng/ml ±2.92. Twenty nine (9.76%) had abnormal PRL levels irrespective of serum testosterone level with a BSA sperm count < 20x106 and there were structural and functional abnormalities. Hyperprolactinaemic was seen in 28 and 26 had marked hypotestosteronaemia. FSH and LH were normal. CONCLUSIONS: Prolactin abnormalities affect the male reproductive system and semen parameters. Further studies should be carried out on PRL and male infertility