[Correlation of serum prolactin, sperm count and motility. Prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in the infertile male]

Abstract

Serum prolactin (PRL) levels were measured in 147 males. All patients had no known tumor, endocrine disorder, or symptoms or signs of hyperprolactinemia. All patients denied taking any medication or agents that could alter PRL levels. Semen analyses revealed 34 patients were normospermic, 69 were oligospermic, 26 were azoospermic, and 18 were purely astenzoospermic. PRL levels for the patient groups were not statistically significantly different. PRL values were higher than the normal ranges in 12.2% of the overall study population. A lower incidence (6.19%) was observed for hyperprolactinemia in the normospermics. These findings are comparable to those described elsewhere. Serum testosterone did not drop significantly in the hyperprolactinemics. Similarly, the FSH and LH values did not change significantly. The possible role of PRL in male infertility and the effect of hyperprolactinemia of varying degrees and etiology on sperm count and motility are discussed.