OBJECTIVESTo detect the sexual hormone level in semen of patients with idiopathic azoospermia and oligospermia, and further analyze the relationship between sexual hormone and idiopathic azoospermia and oligospermia.

METHODS50 male patients with idiopathic azoospermia, 50 in idiopathic oligospermia and 50 male controls with normal sperm density were selected. The sperm density and sexual hormone in semen were detected respectively by routine semen analysis and chemical luminescence technique.

RESULTSThe values of LH were (5.19 +/- 0.67) IU/L and (4.77 +/- 0.68) IU/L, and those of FSH were (1.90 +/- 0.79) IU/L and (2.27 +/- 0.25) IU/L in idiopathic azoospermia and oligospermia respectively, and the values of LH and FSH were (2.19 +/- 0.22) IU/L and (1.61 +/- 0.14) IU/L in normal control group respectively. There were significant differences in the values of LH and FSH between idiopathic azoospermia and normal control group(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The values of PRL were (6.25 +/- 0.51) ng/ml and (6.33 +/- 0.34) ng/ml, and those of T were (1.51 +/- 0.12) ng/ml and (1.68 +/- 0.71) ng/ml in idiopathic azoospermia and oligospermia respectively, and the values of PRL and T were (6.36 +/- 0.32) ng/ml and (1.83 +/- 0.09) ng/ml in normal control group respectively. There were no significant difference in the values of PRL between idiopathic azoospermia, oligospermia and normal control group, but there were significant differences of T between idiopathic azoospermia and normal control. Compared with 0.84 +/- 0.20 in normal control, the values of T/LH were 0.35 +/- 0.09 and 0.29 +/- 0.04 in idiopathic oligospermia and azoospermia respectively and there were significant differences(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe changes of LH, FSH and T values may be one of the reasons that cause the dysfunction of spermatogenesis and sperm maturation in patients with idiopathic azoospermia and oligospermia. The study of semen hormone may lead to new strategies in the treatment to azoospermia and oligospermia.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; analysis ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligospermia ; metabolism ; Semen ; chemistry ; Sperm Count ; Testosterone ; analysis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the level of peak luteinizing hormone (LH) after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) and advanced puberty (AP). METHODS: This study conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 113 girls (7 to 9 years old; 24 CPP, 89 AP) who underwent a GnRH stimulation test. The following parameters were evaluated: chronologic age (CA), bone age (BA), the difference between BA and CA (BA-CA), height, weight, BMI, and the levels of basal LH, peak LH, basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), peak FSH, and basal estradiol. RESULTS: The peak LH level was negatively correlated with weight-standard deviation score (SDS) and BMI-SDS; furthermore, the peak LH level was positively correlated with both basal and peak FSH levels. Using multivariate analysis, BMI-SDS was found to be a significant factor in predicting peak LH levels after GnRH administration. When the subjects were divided into four groups by quartile of peak LH level, the mean BMI-SDS of the highest LH group was significantly lower than the mean BMI-SDS of the lowest LH group. CONCLUSION: LH levels rise after GnRH administration is blunted in precocious and advanced pubertal girls with high BMI. The impact of BMI on the GnRH stimulation test should be considered when evaluating sexual precocity in girls.
Body Mass Index ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Lutein ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Piperazines ; Puberty ; Puberty, Precocious ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of obesity on the peak level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist test and obesity-related hormones in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP).

METHODSThree hundred and thirty-three girls with CPP who underwent the GnRH agonist test between 2012 and 2014 were classified into three groups: normal weight (n=123), overweight (n=108), and obesity (n=102), according to body mass index (BMI). The sexual development indices were compared between the three groups. Twenty girls were randomly selected from each group for evaluation of the serum levels of leptin, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), neurokinin B, and kisspeptin. The correlation of BMI with the levels of various hormones was assessed using Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in mean age at diagnosis between the three groups; however, the bone age was significantly higher in the overweight and obesity groups than in the normal weight group (P<0.05). The peak level of LH in the GnRH agonist test and SHBG level in the normal weight group were significantly higher than those in the overweight and the obesity groups, while the serum levels of leptin and neurokinin B were significantly lower in the normal weight group than in the overweight and the obesity groups (P<0.05). BMI was negatively correlated with the peak level of LH in the GnRH agonist test and SHBG level (P<0.05), and positively correlated with the levels of leptin and neurokinin B (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe effects of BMI on the result of the GnRH agonist test and levels of obesity-related hormones should be taken into account in girls with precocious puberty.

Body Mass Index ; Child ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; agonists ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Neurokinin B ; blood ; Obesity ; blood ; Puberty, Precocious ; blood ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Kallmann syndrome.

METHODSThe examinations including routine karyotyping, sex hormone, GnRH stimulation test and MRI were performed.

RESULTSCytogenetic analysis of his peripheral lymphocyte by G banding showed a normal male karyotype. GnRH stimulation test presented a good reaction. Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone were very low. Absent olfactory bulb was found by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

CONCLUSIONKaryotype analysis, sexual hormone, GnRH stimulation test and MRI are very important the diagnosis of Kallmann syndrome.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; analysis ; Humans ; Kallmann Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Karyotyping ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation of the testis volume and reproductive hormone level with the results of testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) in non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients, and to explore the cut-off value of the testis volume and reproductive hormone level in predicting the results of TESA so as to provide reliable information for the diagnosis and treatment of NOA.

METHODSWe enlisted 121 NOA patients in this study, divided them into a sperm group and a non-sperm group based on the results of TESA, and measured their testis volumes and reproductive hormone levels.

RESULTSThe left testis volume, the right testis volume, and the levels of prolactin (PRL), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and total testosterone (T) in the non-sperm and sperm groups were (7.07 +/- 1.06) ml vs (11.75 +/- 1.38) ml, (7.37 +/- 1.37) ml vs (11.70 +/- 1.98) ml, (12.43 +/- 11.69) ng/ml vs (9.60 +/- 4.55) ng/ml, (15.77 +/- 10.84) mIU/ml vs (8.01 +/- 7.43) mIU/ml, (6.12 +/- 2.92) mIU/ml vs (8.11 +/- 20.11) mIU/ml, (119.36 +/- 43.52) pmol/L vs (141.12 +/- 48.33) pmol/L, and (11.43 +/- 4.05) nmol/L vs (12.46 +/- 4.60) nmol/L, respectively. The mean levels of serum FSH and PRL were significantly higher in the non-sperm than in the sperm group. Although the mean testis volume of the former was less than that of the latter, there were no significant differences between the two groups, and nor were any significant differences in age and the levels of E2 and T. The cut-off value of the testis volume was 9 ml, with sensitivity of 93.8%/89.6% (left/right) and specificity of 100%/94.3% (left/right). The area under curve (AUC) of the left testis volume was 0.984 and that of the right was 0.961, indicating a high diagnostic accuracy. The cut-off value of the serum FSH level was 8.18 mIU/ml, with a sensitivity of 71.2% and a specificity of 75.0%. The AUC of the FSH level was 0.743, suggestive of a moderate diagnostic accuracy.

CONCLUSIONThe testis volume and FSH level are important for predicting the TESA results of NOA patients, and the former has even a higher diagnostic accuracy than the latter.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; analysis ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; analysis ; Male ; Organ Size ; Sperm Retrieval ; Testis ; anatomy & histology ; Young Adult

Objective: To investigate the values of serum calculated free testosterone (cFT), testosterone secretion index (TSI), and free testosterone index (FTI) in the diagnosis of ED with androgen deficiency by observing their changes in the patient. METHODS: We conducted this study among 185 men complaining of ED and 35 20－40 years old healthy males presenting at the clinic for premarital medical checkup. We asked them about their medical history, to fill in the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire, and to complete the nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) test. According to the data obtained, 150 of the complainants were diagnosed as ED patients and 25 of the healthy examinees were included in the control group. We determined the levels of total serum testosterone (TT), luteinizing hormone (LH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), serum albumin (ALB), cFT, bio-available testosterone (bio-T), TSI, and FTI in the two groups of subjects. Using cFT ≤0.3 nmol/L, TSI ≤2.8, and FTI ≤0.4 as the critical values and TT ≤11.5 nmol/L as the gold standard for androgen deficiency, we calculated cFT-, TSI-, and FTI-related rates of missed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and diagnostic coincidence. RESULTS: With TT ≤11.5 nmol/L as the criterion, the cFT-, TSI-, and FTI-related rates of coincidence in the diagnosis of androgen deficiency in the ED patients were 90.8%, 85.8%, and 80.8%, those of missed diagnosis were 4.0%, 33.3%, and 44.0%, and those of misdiagnosis were 10.5%, 19.4%, and 12.6%, with the Kappa of values 0.755, 0.564, and 0.427, respectively (P <0.05). The levels of serum TT, cFT, Bio-T, TSI, and FTI were decreased with increased age of the 20－40 years old ED patients, with statistically significant differences among different age groups except the serum TT level. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the levels of TT, cFT, Bio-T, TSI, and FTI among the patients with different IIEF-5 scores. CONCLUSIONS The level of cFT has a higher value than those of TT, TSI, and TSI in the diagnosis of ED with androgen deficiency in 20－40 years old men.
Adult ; Androgens ; deficiency ; Case-Control Studies ; Erectile Dysfunction ; blood ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Serum Albumin ; analysis ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; analysis ; Testosterone ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the gene expression of Kiss-1 in the hypothalamus of true precocious female rats at various stages of development.

METHODSForty 5-day-old normal female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups of 10 rats: Control group 1, Control group 2, Model group 1 and Model group 2. The rats from the two model groups were injected with 300 microg of danazol at 5 days of age to induce true precocious puberty. The two control groups were injected with normal saline instead. For the determination of Kiss-1 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus, the rats of the Model group 1 were sacrificed during the first diestrus (early puberty) and meanwhile the rats of the Control group 1 were sacrificed when they were at prepuberty; the Control group 2 rats were sacrificed at the first diestrus (early puberty); the rats of the Model group 2 were sacrificed during the second diestrus (middle puberty). The expression of Kiss-1 mRNA in the hypothalamus in the four groups was detected using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSKiss-1 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus in Model group 1 and Model group 2 increased by 1.4-fold and 2.8-fold, respectively, compared with that of Control group 1 (P < 0.05). Model group 2 showed significantly higher Kiss-1 mRNA levels than Model group 1 (P < 0.05). There were no statistical differences in the Kiss-1 mRNA expression between Control group 2 and Model group 1.

CONCLUSIONSGene expression of Kiss-1 is associated with the developmental period of true precocious puberty, suggesting that Kiss-1 might play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

Animals ; Female ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Kisspeptins ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sexual Maturation ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the key indicators in the pituitary-target gland axes in the animal model of Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).

METHODSThe 8 biological indicators [thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), 3, 3', 5-triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol (CORT)] in the pituitary-target gland axes were grouped using factor analysis. Then the sensitivity of every indicator was calculated according to the sensitivity function defined in this paper, so as to find all the most sensitive indicators in every group as key indicators of SYDS.

RESULTSThe key indicators in the early period of SYDS were T, LH, T4, and CORT. The key indicators in the middle period were LH,T, CORT, and ACTH. The key indicators in the late period were LH, T, CORT, and FSH.

CONCLUSIONST, LH, and CORT were the common key indicators of the three periods, and other different key indicator of SYDS in the early, middle and late period were T4, ACTH, and FSH respectively, which changed from the thyroid axis to the adrenal axis and then to the gonadal axis as the period changed. The key indicators in the late period were mainly in the gonadal axis, showing gonadal dysfunction in the late period.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Estradiol ; analysis ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; analysis ; Hydrocortisone ; analysis ; Luteinizing Hormone ; analysis ; Male ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone ; analysis ; Thyrotropin ; analysis ; Thyroxine ; analysis ; Yang Deficiency ; physiopathology

PURPOSE: Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is an uncommon cause of virilization and male infertility. We evaluated the effect of the combination therapy with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in patients with HH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2000 and April 2007, we evaluated 15patients with HH. Testicular volume, serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone, and semen analysis were consecutively monitored at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after hCG/hMG combination therapy. Statistical analysis was performed by Paired Student's t-test. RESULTS: Testicular volume showed a time-dependent increase in all patients who received hCG/hMG combination therapy (p<0.01). At 12 months, 12 patients showed and were significant improvement in FSH (1.6+/-0.97mIU/ml, p<0.033) and in serum total testosterone (71+/-2.73ng/ml, p=0.003), respectively. During hCG/hMG combination therapy, semen volume, sperm number, sperm motility, and sperm morphology were improved. However, there was no significant change in LH levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience in the management of the patients with HH suggests that hCG/hMG combination therapy might be effective in improving the sperm volume, sperm number, sperm motility, sperm morphology, plasma FSH, total testosterone level, and testicular volume. Thus hCG/hMG therapy seems a better choice in the patients with HH who want pregnancy.
Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Infertility, Male ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Male ; Plasma ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Testosterone ; Virilism

PURPOSE: We performed the present study to evaluate the prognostic factors for the surgical outcome of varicocelectomy in the treatment of a painful varicocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 77 patients undergoing varicocelectomy were enrolled. All the patients were examined for body mass index (BMI), varicocele grade, testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), semen analysis, maximal vein diameter, and discrepancy of testicular volume. At a follow-up visit 3~6 months after the surgery, the patient response was graded as a complete response, partial response, or no response. The resolution of pain was defined as a complete or partial response. We used logistic regression analyses to determine the preoperative factors for predicting a complete response and the resolution of pain. RESULTS: Ten subjects were lost to follow-up. The remaining 67 patients were included in this study. The pain was completely resolved in 47.8% of patients, partial resolution was observed in 25.4% of patients, and failure was reported in 26.9% of patients. Among the parameters, only a longer duration of pain (> or =3 months) was an independent factor related to the complete response of pain (odds ratio, 7.371; p=0.010) and the resolution of pain (odds ratio, 7.209; p=0.042). The parameters of semen analysis results, testosterone, LH, FSH, BMI, grade, ultrasonography results, and the type of surgical approach did not significantly predict the resolution of pain. CONCLUSIONS: The duration of pain (> or =3 months) was an independent prognostic factor for the complete response of pain and the resolution of pain.
Body Mass Index ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Logistic Models ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Microsurgery ; Semen Analysis ; Testosterone ; Varicocele ; Veins