The reproductive functions and hormone serum levels of 55 male kidney transplant recipients were assessed. Patients underwent peritoneal dialysis before transplantation and were given immunosuppressive therapy afterward for 1 to 10 years. Spermatobioscopies were performed, and serum urea, creatinine, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), and testosterone (T) levels were determined. Average serum urea and creatinine levels were 54.6+/-1.4 and 3+/-1.3 mg/dL, respectively. The average serum hormone levels were 3.2+/-2 mIU/mL (LH), 6.3+/-1.7 mIU/mL (FSH), 11.7+/-1.5 ng/mL (PRL), and 23+/-1.4 pg/mL (T). Libido reduction was reported in 88% of patients within 8 months following transplantation. Normozoospermia was seen in 47.3% of the patients, asthenozoospermia in 18.2% oligozoospermia in 14.5%, while oligoteratozoospermia, asthenoteratozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, and azoospermia were seen in the rest. Twenty-six patients procreated one or more children after transplantation; 36.6% of those children were premature but nonetheless healthy. No association existed between the post-transplant period and urea or creatinine levels. Significant differences were found when LH levels and sperm motility were assessed. Also, statistically significant differences were found when duration of dialysis, FSH levels, sperm counts, morphology, and motility between posttransplant fertile and infertile patients were correlated. In conclusion, there was an adequate recovery of sexual and reproductive functions in most patients subjected to kidney transplantation and conventional immunosuppressants.

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Environmental contaminants can interfere with the male reproduction function. A review is presented of those pollutants with adverse effects on human reproduction. The possible effects of occupational and environmental exposure to various substances on male reproductive health are evaluated. This analysis considers studies showing damage of men exposed to halogenated hydrocarbons, other organic compounds, heavy metals and some physical agents, and some lifestyles, such as continuous stress, alcohol consumption, cigarette and marijuana smoking, and other addictions. Possible influences of these agents on the neuroendocrine system with the decrease of male fertility during the last decades are also discussed.

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