EVALUATION OF SEMEN PARAMETERS IN MAN WITH HYPERPROLACTINEMIA INDUCEDBY METOCLOPRAMIDE

Hyperprolactinemia in man decreases libido and potency, but the few re ports concerning its influence on spermatogenesis are contradictory. T he aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of induced hyperprolac tinemia on semen parameters. A total of 15 potentially fertile male vo lunteers, aged 28.2 +/- 4.3 years, were given 10 mg metoclopramide thr ee times daily for 12 weeks. Serum and seminal plasma prolactin levels and semen parameters were determined before and 4, 8, and 12 weeks fo llowing initiation of metoclopramide administration. A fivefold increa se of serum prolactin levels was observed, semen volume and abnormal s perm forms decreased, while spermatozoa velocity increased. On the con trary, no-influence was noted on the number of spermatozoa per millili ter, the total number of spermatozoa, the percentage of motile spermat ozoa, or the index of motility. Hyperprolactinemia seems to improve sp ermatozoal velocity and morphology, although direct effect of metoclop ramide on these parameters cannot be excluded.