Endocrine changes in men exposed to the influence of adverse factors
The impact of adverse environmental factors on male reproductive function remains a very relevant problem in connection with the growth of idiopathic male infertility. The purpose of the study was to find out endocrine changes by level of sex hormones and certain hormones of the pituitary gland in men exposed to various unfavorable factors. The study involved 40 men of reproductive age married for 2-3 years with no children in marriage. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the nature of adverse factors: 1) oil and gas industry workers; 2) broadcasting employees; 3) creative workers; 4) unemployed people. The control group was composed of physically healthy men of comparable age with children in marriage. Hormone levels were determined in patients in specialized laboratories. In all the groups of men, on which this or that adverse factor affected the increase in MDA level in the seminal plasma was detected. In the second group of men, testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels have been found not to differ from the control indexes. In the other groups a significant reduced changes in the levels of these hormones were determined. At the same time, in the third group a significant increase in prolactin level was registered. In men of this group the trustworthy increase in the level of ACTH, GH and TSH was also determined. Thus, the essential part in development of spermatogenesis disorder belongs to free radical oxidation processes in the ejaculate as well as the endocrine changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary complex which cause the suppression of testicular steroid genesis.