Predictors For TESE Outcomes and Fertility Potentials Among Infertile Adult Men

Abstract

Background: Spermatogenesis is an essential process for human reproduction.   Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone play vital roles in the development and maturation of sperm. Growth hormone (GH) is thought to play a role in the reproductive system of both males and females. Growth Hormone deficiency can lead to reproductive problems.

Aim: to assess predictors of fertility potentials and TESE outcomes among adult males.

Methods: we enrolled 162 males and assessed FSH, LH, basal GH, clonidine (GH) stimulation test one time and insulin stimulation test in another time. We designed a predictive model to identify the fertility potentials, Fertility Score= 4.442 + (Basal GH*0.074) + (GH_CLON*0.035) - (FSH*0.021) (BMI*0.062)- (Smoker*0.429). The net result of this equation should be approximated to the nearest integer to predict the fertility status where, 1=TESE Negative, 2= TESE Positive, 3=Oligozoospermia, and 4= Fertile control.

Results: multivariate analysis showed smoking status, testicular volume, BMI, Serum FSH, basal GH are not predictors for fertility potentials. GH after clonidine and after insulin stimulation GH after clonidine stimulation correlates positively with total motile count. Other semen parameters do not correlate with basal GH or GH after insulin or clonidine stimulation. Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis is used to detect the cut off levels at which sperm recovery yield change. For the GH assessment only, the basal GH could be applied to predict the SRR in men with azoospermia, AUC=0.672 (95% CI: 0.499 to 0.844). Growth hormone after clonidine (AUC= 0.510) or Insulin stimulation (AUC=0.556) and therefore, cannot differentiate between TESE positive and TESE negative cases.

Conclusion: Basal, post clonidine GH levels, has BMI and smoking are predictive factors for fertility potentials, our model have high sensitivity in predicting fertility potentials among positive TESE males. Basal GH can significantly predict TESE negative males.