Relation between serum hormones and semen parameters in sub-fertile males: is 17-hydroxyprogesterone really a game changer?

Archi Ghanti; K. M. Kundavi Shankar; Yamini Asokan; Geetha V.; Rashmi G. V.; Nithya M. Naaram; Hemaniveda K. R.

doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20240690

Authors

Archi Ghanti Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health, Madras Medical Mission Hospital, Mogappair East, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5724-5378
K. M. Kundavi Shankar Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health, Madras Medical Mission Hospital, Mogappair East, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Yamini Asokan Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health, Madras Medical Mission Hospital, Mogappair East, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Geetha V. Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health, Madras Medical Mission Hospital, Mogappair East, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Rashmi G. V. Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health, Madras Medical Mission Hospital, Mogappair East, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nithya M. Naaram Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health, Madras Medical Mission Hospital, Mogappair East, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Hemaniveda K. R. Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Women’s Health, Madras Medical Mission Hospital, Mogappair East, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20240690

Keywords:

Male infertility, Semen analysis, 17-OHP, Testosterone, FSH, Estradiol, Sexual dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Semen analysis and serum hormone assessment remains an integral part of assessment of infertile males. 17-OHP has recently been demonstrated as a very good marker of intratesticular testosterone environment. Our study was designed to find relationship between individual serum hormone levels and semen parameters in sub fertile men, and to find whether 17-OHP fares better or worse in predicting baseline semen parameters compared to other routinely tested hormones.

Methods: A retrospective analytical study was conducted on 74 patients, after matching inclusion and exclusion criteria, from July 2022 to December 2023. All included patients were investigated with Semen analysis and Serum biomarker levels (FSH, total testosterone, estradiol, total testosterone/estradiol (T/E2) ratio, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone).

Results: Only 10 patients (13.51%) had normal semen analysis, while rest 64 (86.49%) had abnormality in at least 1 semen parameter. Serum testosterone and T/E2 ratio had significant difference (p<0.05) between the two groups. Comparing individual semen parameters against all hormones, FSH and total testosterone had significant association with sperm count, concentration and total motility. Total testosterone also had a significant relation with progressive motility, morphology and semen volume (p<0.05). T/E2 ratio had significant association with Sperm count, motility and morphology, and semen volume (p<0.05). But, 17-OHP and estradiol were not found to have any significant association with any baseline semen parameters in our study (p>0.05). But, serum 17OHP was found to be significantly associated with sexual dysfunction in males (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Our study inferred that serum FSH, testosterone level and T/E2 ratio can be used to predict baseline semen parameters, but 17OHP did not have any association with baseline semen parameters. However, serum 17OHP can serve as a novel marker for male sexual dysfunction.

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