Changes of FSH, LH, Prl levels in blood and seminal fluid during long – lasting clomiphene citrate administration

Abstract

Immunoreactive FSH, LH, and Prl in seminal fluid have been described by several authors. This observation has reasonably raised the question as to the source and the significance of these substances in the seminal fluid. Diffusion from the peripheral serum and active secretion by the seminal vesicles, prostate and the seminiferous tubules are the possible modes of entry of these hormones in seminal plasma. In order to elucidate the source of these substances we studied the changes of LH, FSH and Prl levels in blood and seminal fluid after clomiphene citrate administration. Clomiphene citrate is an antioestrogenic compound which is used in the treatment of normogonadotrophic hypofertile men and increases the levels of LH and FSH in peripheral serum by the stimulation of GnRH (Smith & Rodriguez – Rigau 1974). In fourteen normogonadotrophic men with idiopathic oligospermia, clomiphene citrate (C.C.), 50 mg/day, was administered continuously for seven