Correlation between follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid with sperm cell concentration.

Plasma follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid and 17-ketosteroids were measured in patients seen at an infertility clinic. Plasma follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels, and urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid levels were increased in patients with sperm concentrations less than 10 times 10(6) per ml. The results suggest that in patients with sperm counts less than 10 times 10(6) per ml. there is not only impaired spermatogenesis but also decreased Leydig cell function. Urinary 17-ketosteroid levels were not related to sperm cell concentration.