Analysis of LH Receptor Expression in the Testes of Infertile Azoospermic Non-Obstructive (NOA) Men at High Serum Prolactin Concentrations

Abstract

Background: Hyperprolactin is one of the endocrine disorders that causes male infertility (11%). The mechanism is not widely known; it is thought to occur through disruption of LH receptor activity on germ cells. Objective: The aim of study to compare the level of prolactin secretion with receptor expression in non-azoospermic infertile men (NOA). Methods: During the period from July 2019 to July 2021, 40 samples of testicular tissue and serum were obtained from infertile NOA men, aged 25-50 years who were recruited from Ciptomangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM) Jakarta, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia and Bunda Hospital Jakarta. Subjects were divided into 4 groups based on prolactin levels (20 ng/ml, 20-50 ng/ml, 50-100 ng/ml and 100ng/ml). This group was tested for significance between groups and continued with a correlation test with the level of LH receptor expression. Results: ANOVA test showed a significant decrease in LH receptor expression between prolactin levels < 20 ng/mL with levels of 50-100 ng/ml and prolactin levels > 100 ng/ml (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the results of the correlation test showed a significant decrease between prolactin levels and LH receptor expression (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The higher the level of prolactin secretion in this sample, there is a decrease in LH receptor expression, so that testosterone production decreases and the spermatogenesis process will be disrupted. Key words: Male infertility, Hyperprolactinemia, LH receptor expression, Non obstructive azoospermia (NOA).