Cover
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2011)

Published: December 31, 2011

Pages: 18-24

Research Article

Correlation of serum and seminal plasma human growth hormone concentration with semen parameters of normozoospermic and infertile men

Muhammad-Baqir M-R. Fakhrildin 1
1Institute of Embryo Research and Infertility Treatment, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
History
  • Received: September 1, 2011
  • Available Online: December 1, 2011

Abstract

Background: Human growth hormone (HGH) is undisputedly a potent hormone with a wide variety of biological effects. The anabolic actions of human growth hormone have made it attractive as a potential agent for catabolic problems in a wide range of clinical conditions. Objectives: In the present study, we investigated the possible relationship between levels of HGH in serum (S. HGH) and seminal plasma (Sp. HGH) and semen parameters in normozoospermic (NZS) men and infertile patients. Materials and Methods: In total, 66 infertile patients with azoospermia (AZS; no. 52), asthenozoospermia (AsZS; no. 6) and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OATZS; no. 8), and normozoospermic men (NZS; no. 12) were included in this study. From each subject, semen and blood samples were taken to assess seminal plasma and sperm parameters and levels of S. HGH and Sp. HGH; respectively. Results: The highest S. HGH was evaluated in AZS patients when compared to NZS and other infertile groups. Significant elevation (P<0.05) in the level of S. HGH was assessed for AZS patients as compared to NZS men. In contrast, the level of Sp. HGH in NZS men was significantly elevated (P<0.05) when compared to AZS patients only. Positive and significant correlations were noticed between levels of Sp. HGH and semen liquefaction time in NZS, AZS and OATZS groups. In NZS men, positive and significant correlation were observed between Sp. HGH and semen volume and negative and significant correlations were detected between Sp. HGH and percentages of sperm motility, progressive motility, immobility and agglutination. Conclusion: Our study represents the first study in Iraq showing that the level of HGH in serum and seminal plasma affect male fertility and sperm parameters in normozoospermic males and infertile patients. Further biochemical and molecular studies are recommended to investigate the mode of action of HGH and its receptors in relation to fertility.

Keywords

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