OBJECTIVETo investigate the levels and changes of sexual hormone in serum and seminal plasma, and the epidermal growth factor (EGF), alpha-glucosidase, and fructose in the seminal plasma of non-obstructive azoospermic patients, and to assess the significance of the analysis of their chromosomes.

METHODSThirty-six non-obstructive azoospermic males and 26 normal males were chosen. The results in reproductive endocrine and genetics obtained by radioimmunoassay, colorimetry, and chromosomes G and C banding assay were compared and analyzed to explore into the causes of infertility.

RESULTSThe levels of FSH, LH, PRL and E2 in the serum of the non-obstructive azoospermic patients were higher than those of the control group, but the T level had no significant difference between the two groups. There were no obvious differences in the sexual hormones except in FSH of the seminal plasma. There were 2 cases of abnormal sex chromosomes, 2 cases of big Y chromosomes and 7 cases of small Y chromosomes in the non-obstructive azoospermic patients. No correlation was found between EGF and fructose in the seminal plasma.

CONCLUSIONThe level of sexual hormone in serum, alpha-glucosidase in seminal plasma and abnormal chromosomes might be closely related to non-obstructive azoospermia.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; etiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; chemistry ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism