Preoperative Serum Follicle-stimulating Hormone Research Articles

Serum FSH as a Useful Marker for the Differential Diagnosis of Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumors.

Simple SummaryThis study aimed to evaluate whether serum gonadotropin and sex steroid hormone measurement is useful in the differential diagnosis of granulosa cell tumors (GCTs). Serum hormone levels were measured preoperatively in patients who underwent surgery for ovarian tumors (n = 471) and compared in two groups, a GCT group (n = 13) and a group with other histological types of ovarian tumor (non-GCT) (n = 458). Univariate analysis showed that the GCT group had significantly lower serum gonadotropin levels and significantly higher serum sex steroid hormone levels than the non-GCT group. Multivariate analysis revealed that the serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level was significantly associated with GCT (p = 0.004). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis for the diagnosis of GCTs showed that the area under the curve of the serum FSH level was 0.99, with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98%. Preoperative serum FSH levels are an extremely useful marker for differentiating GCTs from all ovarian tumors.Background: We evaluated whether the serum hormone levels are useful in the differential diagnosis of granulosa cell tumors (GCTs), regardless of menopausal status. Methods: Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone were measured preoperatively in all patients (n = 471) who underwent surgery for ovarian tumors at Chiba University Hospital between 2009 and 2021. These were compared in two groups, a GCT group (n = 13) and a group with other histological types (non-GCT) (n = 458). Results: The GCT group had significantly lower serum LH and FSH (p = 0.03 and p < 0.001, respectively) and significantly higher testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.045, respectively) than the non-GCT group. Multivariate analysis revealed that serum FSH and estradiol were significantly associated with GCT (FSH, odds ratio (OR) = 0.0046, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.0026–0.22, p = 0.004; estradiol, OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.96–0.998, p = 0.046). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis for GCTs showed that the area under the curve of serum FSH was 0.99, with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98%, when the cutoff level was set at 2.0 IU/L. Conclusions: Preoperative serum FSH level is an extremely useful marker for differentiating GCTs from all ovarian tumors.

Impact of Varicocele and Varicocele Surgery on Semen Quality, Erectile Function and Serum Hormone Levels

Introduction: Many studies suggest that varicoceles are associated with hypogonadism and varicocele repair can increase testosterone levels and improve erectile function.Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the impact of varicocele and varicocele surgery on testosterone level, semen quality, and erectile function.Methods: Our study included 265 infertile males with a clinical varicocele. This group was divided into three groups: group 1 (193) patients who did not receive surgery, group 2 (72 patients) who were operated on according to the Palomo procedure and group 3 (28 patients), who acted as a control group without a varicocele. All patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function IIEF-5 (German version) and underwent semen analysis. Serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured at inclusion into the study and after surgery.Main outcome measures: Changes in semen quality, erectile function, and serum hormones after surgery.Results: The IIEF-5 scores in groups 1 and 2 were 21.01 ± 2.2; and 21.74 ± 1 respectively, and the resulting t-test for equality of variance was significant (p &lt; 0.0001). Total testosterone level in groups 1 and 2 were 3.16 ± 0.37 and 3 ± 0.01, respectively, and the resulting t-test for equality of variance was significant (p &lt; 0.0001). The results of the semen analysis were better in group 2 (after surgery) (28.6%, p &lt; 0.001) in comparison to group 1. Interestingly, pre-operative serum testosterone levels were lower in patients with later improvement of semen analysis (p = 0.05). Body mass index (p = 0.8), pre-operative serum FSH (p = 0.9), LH (p = 0.2), and nicotine consumption (p = 0.6) were similar in both the group that saw improvement and the group with no change in semen quality.Conclusion: Semen quality improved in 28.6% of patients after varicocele surgery. Erectile dysfunction (ED) improved after varicocele surgery. We report that lower pre-operative serum testosterone level might be a possible indicator for successful surgical outcome.

Predictors of improved seminal characteristics by varicocele repair

The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of the improvement of semen characteristics after low ligation for patients with varicoceles. The records of 97 oligozoospermic patients who underwent microsurgical left or bilateral inguinal varicocele repair were retrospectively evaluated. We assessed factors that could be predictors of the improvement of semen characteristics using logistic regression analysis. We evaluated age, testicular volume, varicocele grade, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone, testosterone, sperm concentration and motility before low ligation. Among the 97 patients, sperm concentration improved from 6.4 +/- 5.8 to 24.2 +/- 35.1 million ml(-1) and sperm motility increased from 32.8 +/- 24.9% to 41.0 +/- 14.6% in 55 patients (57%). In logistic regression analysis, pre-operative serum FSH and testosterone concentration were predictors of sperm concentration improvement. Varicocele repair improved sperm concentration and motility. Low serum FSH and high testosterone are significant factors predicting the improvement of semen characteristics before low ligation.

Microdissection testicular sperm extraction and IVF-ICSI outcome in nonobstructive azoospermia

We evaluated the efficiency of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (MicroTESE) in patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) and their pregnancy outcomes in a programme based on in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Fifty-six MicroTESE procedures were performed in 53 patients with NOA. Pre-operative levels of luteinising hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and prolactin were obtained and a Doppler sonography examination was conducted. Sperm retrieval rate, mean age of female partner, mean ICSI and fertilisation rate, number and quality of embryos transferred, implantation, pregnancy and miscarriage rates were calculated. Samples for testicular histological analysis were taken trans-operatively in every case. Sperm retrieval rate, mean ICSI per case and fertilisation rate were 57.1%, 7.4% and 58.4% respectively. A significant difference in pre-operative testicular volume (P = 0.001), serum FSH (P = 0.008) and total testosterone levels (P = 0.021) was found in patients from whom sperm could be retrieved. Mean 1.9 type A embryos were transferred per cycle. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rates were 20%, 40% and 18.7% respectively. It is concluded that MicroTESE is a viable option for men with NOA, offering excellent results in couples undergoing IVF-ICSI. Pre-operative serum FSH, testicular volume and total testosterone levels may have a prognostic value, although more data are needed to determine their significance and whether or not patients should be excluded from an initial sperm retrieval attempt.

Induction of spermatogenesis in men with azoospermia or severe oligoteratoasthenospermia after antegrade internal spermatic vein sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicocele

To evaluate the treatment outcome of antegrade internal spermatic vein sclerotherapy in men with non-obstructive azoospermia or severe oligoteratoasthenospermia (OTA) as a result of varicocele. Between September 1995 and January 2004, 47 patients (mean age 33.8 +/- 6.3 years) underwent antegrade internal spermatic vein sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicocele with azoospermia (14 patients) or severe OTA (33 patients). Testicular core biopsy was also performed in complete azoospermic patients who provided informed consent. The outcome was assessed in terms of improvement in semen parameters and conception rate. Forty-two (89.4%) of 47 patients had bilateral varicocele. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) did not differ between patients with azoospermia and severe OTA. After the follow-up of 24.8 +/- 9.2 months, significant improvement was noted in mean sperm concentration, motility and morphology in 35 patients (74.5%). Comparison between groups during the follow-up revealed significantly higher values of sperm concentration, motility and normal morphology in the severe OTA group. Pregnancy was achieved in 14 cases (29.8%). Testicular histopathology of the azoospermic patients with postoperative induction of spermatogenesis revealed maturation arrest at spermatid stage, Sertoli-cell-only (SCO) with focal spermatogenesis or hypospermatogenesis. None of the patients with pure SCO pattern or maturation arrest at spermatocyte stage achieved spermatogenesis after the treatment. Preoperative serum FSH levels didn't relate to treatment outcome. Antegrade internal spermatic vein sclerotherapy is an easy and effective treatment for symptomatic varicocele. It can significantly reverse testicular dysfunction and improve spermatogenesis in men with severe OTA, as well as induce sperm production in men with azoospermia, improving pregnancy rates in subfertile couples.

The effect of microsurgical varicocelectomy on serum follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and free testosterone levels in infertile men with varicocele.

To analyse the effects of varicocelectomy on serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and free testosterone levels, and to investigate the interrelationships between seminal and hormonal variables. The records were retrospectively evaluated for 78 infertile patients who underwent microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy, with documented serum FSH, testosterone, free testosterone levels, sperm concentration and sperm motility before and after surgery. Left and bilateral varicoceles were detected in 40 and 38 patients, respectively. In addition, serum hormonal values of 10 fertile men in whom physical examinations and Doppler ultrasonography revealed no evidence of varicocele were recorded and used as a control group. The mean (sd) serum FSH levels of all patients decreased from 15.21 (3.34) before surgery to 10.82 (2.93) mIU/mL afterward (P=0.01), and serum testosterone levels increased from 5.63 (1.40) to 8.37 (2.2) ng/mL (P=0.01), whereas free testosterone levels increased from 23.13 (3.19) to 32.83 (4.37) pg/mL (P<0.001). In contrast to the significant difference in sperm motility before and after surgery of all patients (P<0.01), the difference in sperm count was insignificant (P>0.05). Thirty-six patients with high serum FSH levels before surgery had significantly lower levels afterward (P=0.001). In this group, the sperm concentration and motility also increased, from 17.66 (4.35) to 20.76 (4.37) million/mL (P=0.05) and from 30.9 (4.4)% to 37.5 (4.34)%, respectively (P=0.01). In the remaining 42 patients who had normal preoperative serum FSH levels, there was a slight decrease after surgery (P=0.02). Their sperm concentration increased slightly (P=0. 04), and motility also increased (P=0.001). Sixty patients had a significantly higher testosterone level after surgery; in this group the sperm concentration and motility increased (P=0.01). Varicocelectomy promotes Sertoli and Leydig cell function. The significant increase in serum free testosterone level results in a significant improvement in sperm concentration and motility.

Transplantation of a Human Testis for Anorchia

One of two genetically identical twins (30 years old) had been born with two normal testes and the other with none. In the anorchic twin, preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were extremely high, and the serum testosterone level was extremely low. In the twin with two testes, preoperative serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels were normal. After successful transplantation of a testis from the twin with two testes to the twin with no testes, using the microvascular technique, the recipient twin developed a normal serum testosterone level within 2 hours of surgery; his FSH and LH levels came down toward a normal range more slowly over the ensuing 4 weeks. The donor's FSH level became mildly elevated 2 days postoperatively but returned to normal by 3 months. Thereafter, serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels remained persistently normal in both twins. In the donor, pre- and postoperative sperm counts were normal. Preoperatively the recipient's semen had no sperm, but postoperatively the sperm content has slowly increased to normal levels.