Abstract
In the past 20 years, several factors were detected in the human seminal plasma and proposed as markers for spermatogenesis. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its β-subunit were therefore investigated, and their seminal levels were found to be higher than those detected in the serum and to correlate with sperm parameters. Objective: We designed a retrospective study to determine the suitability of hCG free β-subunit concentration in the seminal plasma of fertile and infertile male patients as marker of spermatogenesis. Study design: A total of 79 infertile male patients were divided into four groups by their semen analysis results (group 1 [n = 8]: azoospermia; group 2 [n = 21]: severe oligozoospermia; group 3 [n = 40]: oligoasthenospermia (OAS); group 4 [n = 10]: asthenospermia) and 10 healthy volunteers of proven fertility were evaluated. Results: The hCG free β-subunit levels in the seminal plasma were found to be significantly higher (P <0.0001) in the control group in respect to those assayed in the infertile patients and showed a correlation with sperm count (r = 0.5) and total motile sperm density (r = 0.5). Twenty-five patients were on treatment with oral Mesterolone (100 mg daily) plus Tamoxifen (20 mg daily) for 3-6 months. Apart from a significant improvement (P <0.05) in sperm morphology, no significant changes in sperm count and motility were observed after the treatment in all the patients. In the seminal plasma of 10 patients who showed a significant increase in sperm count, hCG free β-subunit levels were found to be significantly higher compared to those detected in the remaining patients (P <0.01). In all patients, these levels remained unchanged after the treatment. Conclusions: The evidence regarding the positive correlation between hCG free β-subunit levels in the seminal plasma and sperm concentration is consistent with the previous results regarding hCG levels. A previous study demonstrated that testosterone levels in seminal plasma correlated with sperm concentrations; from the same evidence regarding hCG we hypothesize that seminal plasma testosterone and hCG levels are correlated. Thus, hCG may play a paracrine role in the intratesticular regulation of testosterone secretion.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 165-169 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology |
| Volume | 106 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 10 2003 |
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Keywords
- hCG free β-subunit
- Human seminal plasma
- Male infertility
- Mesterolone
- Spermatogenesis
- Tamoxifen
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Reproductive Medicine
Cite this
Human chorionic gonadotropin free β-subunit in the human seminal plasma : A new marker for spermatogenesis? / Caroppo, E.; Niederberger, C.; Iacovazzi, P. A.; Correale, M.; Palagiano, A.; D'Amato, G.
In: European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Vol. 106, No. 2, 10.02.2003, p. 165-169.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Human chorionic gonadotropin free β-subunit in the human seminal plasma
T2 - A new marker for spermatogenesis?
AU - Caroppo, E.
AU - Niederberger, C.
AU - Iacovazzi, P. A.
AU - Correale, M.
AU - Palagiano, A.
AU - D'Amato, G.
PY - 2003/2/10
Y1 - 2003/2/10
N2 - In the past 20 years, several factors were detected in the human seminal plasma and proposed as markers for spermatogenesis. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its β-subunit were therefore investigated, and their seminal levels were found to be higher than those detected in the serum and to correlate with sperm parameters. Objective: We designed a retrospective study to determine the suitability of hCG free β-subunit concentration in the seminal plasma of fertile and infertile male patients as marker of spermatogenesis. Study design: A total of 79 infertile male patients were divided into four groups by their semen analysis results (group 1 [n = 8]: azoospermia; group 2 [n = 21]: severe oligozoospermia; group 3 [n = 40]: oligoasthenospermia (OAS); group 4 [n = 10]: asthenospermia) and 10 healthy volunteers of proven fertility were evaluated. Results: The hCG free β-subunit levels in the seminal plasma were found to be significantly higher (P <0.0001) in the control group in respect to those assayed in the infertile patients and showed a correlation with sperm count (r = 0.5) and total motile sperm density (r = 0.5). Twenty-five patients were on treatment with oral Mesterolone (100 mg daily) plus Tamoxifen (20 mg daily) for 3-6 months. Apart from a significant improvement (P <0.05) in sperm morphology, no significant changes in sperm count and motility were observed after the treatment in all the patients. In the seminal plasma of 10 patients who showed a significant increase in sperm count, hCG free β-subunit levels were found to be significantly higher compared to those detected in the remaining patients (P <0.01). In all patients, these levels remained unchanged after the treatment. Conclusions: The evidence regarding the positive correlation between hCG free β-subunit levels in the seminal plasma and sperm concentration is consistent with the previous results regarding hCG levels. A previous study demonstrated that testosterone levels in seminal plasma correlated with sperm concentrations; from the same evidence regarding hCG we hypothesize that seminal plasma testosterone and hCG levels are correlated. Thus, hCG may play a paracrine role in the intratesticular regulation of testosterone secretion.
AB - In the past 20 years, several factors were detected in the human seminal plasma and proposed as markers for spermatogenesis. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its β-subunit were therefore investigated, and their seminal levels were found to be higher than those detected in the serum and to correlate with sperm parameters. Objective: We designed a retrospective study to determine the suitability of hCG free β-subunit concentration in the seminal plasma of fertile and infertile male patients as marker of spermatogenesis. Study design: A total of 79 infertile male patients were divided into four groups by their semen analysis results (group 1 [n = 8]: azoospermia; group 2 [n = 21]: severe oligozoospermia; group 3 [n = 40]: oligoasthenospermia (OAS); group 4 [n = 10]: asthenospermia) and 10 healthy volunteers of proven fertility were evaluated. Results: The hCG free β-subunit levels in the seminal plasma were found to be significantly higher (P <0.0001) in the control group in respect to those assayed in the infertile patients and showed a correlation with sperm count (r = 0.5) and total motile sperm density (r = 0.5). Twenty-five patients were on treatment with oral Mesterolone (100 mg daily) plus Tamoxifen (20 mg daily) for 3-6 months. Apart from a significant improvement (P <0.05) in sperm morphology, no significant changes in sperm count and motility were observed after the treatment in all the patients. In the seminal plasma of 10 patients who showed a significant increase in sperm count, hCG free β-subunit levels were found to be significantly higher compared to those detected in the remaining patients (P <0.01). In all patients, these levels remained unchanged after the treatment. Conclusions: The evidence regarding the positive correlation between hCG free β-subunit levels in the seminal plasma and sperm concentration is consistent with the previous results regarding hCG levels. A previous study demonstrated that testosterone levels in seminal plasma correlated with sperm concentrations; from the same evidence regarding hCG we hypothesize that seminal plasma testosterone and hCG levels are correlated. Thus, hCG may play a paracrine role in the intratesticular regulation of testosterone secretion.
KW - hCG free β-subunit
KW - Human seminal plasma
KW - Male infertility
KW - Mesterolone
KW - Spermatogenesis
KW - Tamoxifen
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0037428942&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0037428942&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0301-2115(02)00231-2
DO - 10.1016/S0301-2115(02)00231-2
M3 - Article
C2 - 12551786
AN - SCOPUS:0037428942
VL - 106
SP - 165
EP - 169
JO - European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
JF - European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
SN - 0028-2243
IS - 2
ER -