Significance of LH, FSH and LTH determination by radioimmunoassay and of testicular biopsy findings in poor semen quality

Both the basic FSH, LH, LTH levels and the testicular biopsy findings - using a four stage classification - have been evaluated in 48 patients with severe idiopathic oligozoospermia or azoospermia. The basic FSH and LH average values increased significantly in relation to the degree of testicular failure. The average LTH values did not increase in testicular failure stages 1 - 2 but increased significantly in stages 3 - 4. There is no correlation between the average values of LTH and FSH, and LH, resp., but there is a significant correlation between FSH and LH average values in stages 1-2 and 3-4. The evaluation of basic FSH and LH levels renders it possible to estimate the testicular function in nearly 50% of the cases of idiopathic azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia. Testicular biopsy is unnecessary in these cases. (author)