Introduction: A reduction of testicular volume (TV) represents an important clinical sign, which may hide sperm abnormalities and predispose to hypogonadism.
Aim: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of total testosterone after treatment with urofollitropin in selected patients with male infertility and idiopathic mild reduction of testicular volume.
Methods: In this 1-year-long prospective design, patients with abnormal sperm parameters, mild reduction in TV (8-12 mL) and normal gonadotropin, and total testosterone (TT) serum levels were recruited in this study. Patients treated for 4 months with urofollitropin were included in group A, those treated with intracytoplasmatic sperm injection due to a female-factor infertility were included in group B. Hormone values, sperm parameters, and TV were detected at baseline (T0), after 4 (T1) and 12 months (T2) in group A and at T0 and T2 in group B.
Results: Group A (n = 80) showed increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) at T1 and sperm morphology at T1 and T2 compared to T0 (all p < 0.05). Group B (n = 50) had lower TT and higher FSH levels at T2 compared to T0 (all p < 0.05). At T2, TT, VT, total sperm count, progressive motility, total motility, and sperm morphology were higher in group A compared to group B (all p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Reduced TV may predispose to infertility and hypogonadism. FSH treatment may improve Sertoli and Leydig cell function and prevent the development of hypogonadism.
Keywords: Hypogonadism; Infertility; Testiculopathy; Total testosterone.