Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor polymorphism and seminal anti-Müllerian hormone in fertile and infertile men

Abstract

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is fundamental for Sertoli cell function stimulating spermatogenesis and follicular growth by a specific receptor (FSHR). This work aimed to investigate the occurrence of Asn and Ser FSHR gene variants and its relationship with seminal anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) among normozoospermic and infertile oligoasthenozoospermic (OAT) males. Eighty-two Caucasian males grouped into normozoospermic healthy controls (n = 30) and infertile OAT males (n = 52). FSHR gene variants were determined by DNA from anti-coagulated blood and underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and electrophoresis in detecting amplification products. AMH in seminal plasma was determined by ELISA. The results showed that the frequency of FSHR gene variants among fertile men was 46.7% Asn/Asn (N680S), 33.3% Asn/Ser, and 20% Ser/Ser, whereas among OAT men were 34.6%, 38.5% and 26.9% respectively with nonsignificant differences. Seminal AMH was significantly higher in fertile than infertile OAT men. There was significant increase in seminal AMH with Asn/Asn variant of FSHR gene than those with Asn/Ser or Ser/Ser. It is concluded that FSH gene variants showed no difference in distribution between fertile or infertile OAT men. However, when correlated with seminal AMH values, there was an increase in Asn/Asn in men with high seminal AMH.