Hypothalamo—Pituitary—Gonadal Axis and Sperm-Agglutinating Antibodies in Infertile Men Treated for Cryptorchidism

Abstract

Semen samples, serum levels for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin and testosterone, sperm-agglutinating antibodies, and karyotypes were measured in 23 men who had been surgically treated for cryptorchidism and they came to an infertility clinic. Two of these men had normal sperm counts, 2 were azoospermic, and 14 had severe oligozoospermia. Thirteen patients had high FSH levels and two had high LH concentrations. The serum prolactin level was clearly elevated in one man. One man had caryotype 47 XXY. Sperm-agglutinating antibodies were found in three patients.

Key Words:

• Male infertility
• Cryptorchidism.