Serum and seminal plasma prolactin levels in male attenders of an infertility clinic in Ibadan

Abstract

Serum and seminal plasma prolactin and testosterone were studied in 51 healthy-looking men who presented at the infertility clinic. They included 20 men with normospermia, 20 with oligospermia and 11 with azoospermia. The mean serum prolactin and gonadotrophin levels of the oligospermics and azoospermics were similar but significantly higher than those of the normospermics. The mean seminal plasma prolactin levels in the three groups were similar. The mean serum testosterone of the azoospermics was significantly higher than those of the oligospermics and normospermics who had similar levels. The seminal plasma testosterone of the oligospermics was similar to that of the azoospermics but significantly higher than that of the normospermics. A significant correlation occurred between serum prolactin and sperm motility. No correlation occurred between the serum and seminal plasma prolactin levels, and seminal plasma testosterone or between serum and seminal plasma testosterone. Seminal prolactin has no correlation with any biophysical parameters. It was concluded that poor spermatogenesis is associated with high serum prolactin in patients with infertility. Serum but not seminal plasma prolactin assay is useful in assessing male infertility.