Thyroid Hormones in Male Reproduction and Fertility

Abstract

Thyroid hormones, previously thought not to affect spermatogenesis and male fertility, are now being recognized as having important role in spermatogenesis. The identification of thyroid hormone receptors on Sertoli cells, the nurturing cells for sperm in the testis, has embarked further research to investigate the role of thyroid hormones in male reproduction. Since spermatogenesis occurs in close contact with the Sertoli cells, the thyroid hormones must exert significant regulatory role in sperm production. Therefore, disturbances in the thyroid function could affect spermatogenesis and male fertility. Studies on human subjects and animals models are now revealing further insights into the effect of thyroid hormones on male fertility and infertility. The present review provides an update on the role of thyroid hormones in spermatogenesis and male fertility.

Selenium protects against nesfatin‐1 modulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐testicular axis during hypothyroidism in male rats

“…In the PTU group, the decrease in sperm count, motility, and viability, as well as a significant increase in sperm abnormality indicates impact of hypothyroidism on spermatogenesis; this finding was consistent with previous studies (Sahoo et al., 2008 ; Wang et al., 2015 ). These findings were attributed to the drop in thyroid hormone which is a crucial mediator for germ cell differentiation and maturation (Singh et al., 2011 ), together with the decrement of the sex hormones (Capel, 2000 ; Kerr et al., 2006 ), in addition to oxidative stress that impacts sperm cells' motility and genetic integrity (Iommiello et al., 2015 ). However, in the PTU+ Se group, there was no impairment of spermatogenesis, due to the normal testosterone levels and the antioxidant impact of Se on Leydig cells, which improves their responsiveness to LH, this was in harmony with Owumi et al.…”

Impact of Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR) emitted from Cell Phone on Human Semen Quality

“…This is free-and albuminbound portions testosterone which is called as bio available testosterone [8, 19,53]. It has been reported that in hyperthyroidism, total testosterone and SHBG levels are increased [23,37] and free Testosterone is transiently reduced or may be within normal range [22] but mean basal bio-available Testosterone level is decreased [50]. In few thyrotoxic male subjects elevated circulating estrogen level have been reported…”

Primary hypothyroidism as a predictor of the hypogonadism development

“…Вивчені декілька шляхів, що пов'язують метаболічні порушення в чоловіків з гіпотиреозом зі змінами найважливіших потенційних маркерів чоловічої фертильності, зокрема параметрами спермограми або профілю репродуктивних гормонів [5,6]. Дослідження останніх років чітко показують вплив гіпотиреозу на профіль репродуктивних гормонів у чоловіків, що насамперед характеризується зниженням рівня тестостерону і сексзв'язуючого глобуліну в периферичній крові [7].…”