Reproductive Parameters in Prolactinaemic Men

Abstract

The sexual behavior, hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and seminal fluid parameters in three different models of hyperprolactinaemia were studied: patients with prolactin secreting pituitary adenomas, normal volunteers before and during metoclopramide, and psychotic patients on chronic neuroleptic therapy. Hyperprolactinaemia is always accompanied by a reduced seminal volume but there is no clearcut evidence that it can induce spermatogenesis modifications. Impotence is constantly present in the hyperprolactinaemic syndromes. The mildly impaired androgen production by the Leydig cells during hyperprolactinaemia does not seem to explain the impotence. Hypotheses on the pathogenesis of this symptom are suggested.

Key Words:

• Prolactin
• Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis
• Seminal volume
• Spermatogenesis
• Impotence.