Insulin Resistance in Idiopathic Oligospermia and Azoospermia

Insulin Resistance : a New Diagnosis of the Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Oligozoospermia and Non Obstructive Azoospermia

Insulin resistance in men can be the underlying major factor in reproductive abnormalities ( chronic hypospermatogenesis ) as well as metabolic abnormalities similar to polycystic ovarian syndrome ( PCOS ) in women.

During the past decade IR has been recognized as a major contributor to the pathogenesis of chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism and metabolic abnormalities associated with PCOS . Theoretically IR in men may result in a similar reproductive abnormalities ( chronic hypospermatogenesis ) as well as other metabolic abnormalities similar to what happens in PCOS in women .

Inclusion Criteria:

• sperm count less than 10 million per milliliter
• non-obstructive azoospermia

Exclusion Criteria:

• high FSH ( > 10 mIU/ ml )
• high prolactin ( > 36 mIU/ml )
• abnormal karyotype
• AZF