Evaluation of Fertility Hormones in Type 2 Diabetic Male Subjects in Nauth, Nnewi

Background and Aim of Study: To Assess the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone among type 2 diabetic male subjects in NAUTH, NNEWI.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional study carried out at Endocrinology unit, NAUTH Nnewi. A total of 134 participants were recruited for this study which comprised of 67 male type 2 diabetics mellitus subjects and 67 apparently healthy controls. The levels of testosterone, LH, FSH and glycated hemoglobin were analysed using ELISA and colorimetric assay methods respectively.

Results: Results from this findings showed that the mean levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), LH and FSH were significantly higher in test subjects compared with that of the control subjects (p<0.05). Conversely, the mean level of testosterone was significantly lower in the type 2 diabetic male subjects compared to that of the control subjects (p<0.05) In male type 2 diabetic participants, there was a significant positive correlation between the mean levels of HbA1c and the mean levels of LH (r=0.385, p=0.001) and FSH (r=0.535, p<0.001). Nevertheless, among the male type 2 diabetic participants, there was no significant correlation (p>0.05) between the mean HbA1c levels and testosterone. In the control group, there was a significant positive correlation (r=0.461, p<0.001) between the mean values of HbA1c and FSH.

Conclusion: This suggests there is hypogonadism which is indicative of an alteration in the hypothalamic-pitutary -gonadal axis and this could lead to infertility in type 2 diabetic male subjects.