Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: To evaluate semen parameters and measure serum FSH, LH, Testosterone (T) concentrations before and 6 weeks after i.v. (800–1200 mg elemental iron iron therapy in adults with iron deficiency anemia.

Patients and methods: This study investigated 11 adults with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) aged 40±5 years, with full pubertal development (Tanner stage 5, eugonadal) and capacity to ejaculate. They had iron deficiency anemia mainly due to defective intake of iron. Anemia was diagnosed when Hb is = or <10 g/dl. (Serum iron, TIBC and ferritin) concentrations confirmed the diagnosis of IDA. Basal serum concentrations of FSH, LH, and T were evaluated before and 6 weeks after i.v. iron therapy.

Results: After iv iron therapy and correction of anemia (Hb>11 g/dl) a significant increase of hemoglobin from 8.1±01.17 to 13.1±0.7 g/dl was associated with increased T (from 12.22±1.4 to 15.9±0.96 nmol/l), FSH (from 2.82±0.87 to 3.82±1.08 IU/l) and LH (from 2.27±0.9 to 3.82±1.5 IU/l).

Total sperm count (TSC) increased significantly from 72±17.5 to 158±49 million/ml (P<0.001), sperm volume increased from 2.3±0.6 to 2.6±0.7 (P=0.045), rapid progressive sperm motility (RPM) increased from 22±9.4 to 69±30 million/ml (P, 0.001), and sperms with normal morphology (NM) increased from 33±5 to 56±7 million/ml (P<0.001).

Hemoglobin concentrations were correlated significantly with T (r=0.75, P<0.001), total sperm count (r=0.81, P<0.001), total progressive motility (r=0.78, P<0.001), rapid progressive motility (r=0.74, P<0.001) and sperms with normal morphology (0.88, P<0.001). Testosterone concentrations were correlated with TSC (0.52, P<0.001), total progressive motility (0.55, P<0.001) and RPM (0.55, P<0.001) and NM (0.78, P 0.001).

Conclusion: We proved that correction of anemia with i.v. iron therapy is associated with significant enhancement of sperm parameters and increased concentrations of serum T, LH, and FSH. These effects on spermatogenesis are reached by an unknown mechanism and suggest a number of pathways that need further human and/or experimental studies.