HYPERPROLACTINEMIA IN OLIGOSPERMIC NIGERIAN MALES - EFFECT OF BROMOCRIPTINE TREATMENT

Objective-To assess the possible etiological role of hyperprolactinemi a in oligospermic African males. Design-Prospective. Setting-Universit y teaching hospital. Patients and Methods-Of the 52 infertile males st udied, 23 had oligospermia, 11 were hyperprolactinemic, while 7 had bo th oligospermia and hyperprolactinemia. Mean serum testosterone concen tration was lower in oligospermic than normospermic patients (3.6 +/- 1.9 ng/mL vs. 6.3 +/- 2.8 ng/mL; P<.05), and in hyperprolactinemic tha n normoprolactinemic patients (2.8 +/- 1.5 ng/mL vs. 5.7 +/- 2.8 ng/mL ; P<.05). The patients with both oligospermia and hyperprolactinemia h ad the lowest mean serum testosterone (2.2 +/- 0.7 ng/mL) concentratio n. Oral bromocriptine was given to the seven hyperprolactinemic, oligo spermic patients for 9-12 weeks. Results-Serum prolactin was reduced t o normal in all and increased sperm count to normal in 4/7. The wives of two of the responders became pregnant. Conclusions-The serum concen tration of prolactin should be estimated in all oligospermic patients who exhibit no obvious cause of the oligospermia. Those found to be hy perprolactinemic should be given bromocriptine.