Seminal plasma nitrite/nitrate and intratesticular Doppler flow in fertileand infertile subjects

The objective of the present study was prospectively to evaluate the role o f nitric oxide (NO) in modulating intratesticular blood how and sperm funct ion. A total of 56 males, undergoing assisted reproduction, mere divided in to three groups according to semen analysis: (i) normozoospermic (n = 16); (ii) oligozoospermic (n = 21); and (iii) azoospermic (n = 19), All the subj ects were submitted to hormone analysis [luteinizing hormone, follicle stim ulating hormone (FSH). growth. hormone, testosterone, androstenedione, insu lin], and to ultrasonographic (testicular volume) and Doppler (transmediast inal artery) evaluations. Plasma and seminal plasma nitrite/nitrate concent rations, and plasma insulin-like growth factor-I were assayed, All 56 patie nts completed the study. In normozoospermic patients, significantly greater testicular volume, lower transmediastinal resistances, and higher seminal plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations were observed in comparison with both oligo- and azoospermic subjects, Testicular volume was inversely correlate d with plasma FSH (r = -0.589; P = 0.005) and pulsatility index of transmed iastinal artery (r = -0.402; P = 0.049). Furthermore, the seminal plasma ni trite/nitrate concentrations were inversely correlated with pulsatility ind ex of transmediastinal artery (r = -0.511; P = 0.015), It was concluded tha t NO is involved in vascular modulation of testicular vessels and ultimatel y in sperm output.