P-082 Estradiol levels in idiopathic male infertility
Authors: Rugescu I A , Dumitrescu R , Dinu Draganescu D , Botezatu A , Albulescu A , Fudulu A , Plesa A , Iancu I V , Vladoiu S , Badiu C , Stancu C , Muresan A , Popa O , Udrea L 
Published: June 2023

Study question

Investigating estradiol in relation with other sperm parameters might reveal new correlations which would help our understanding of male idiopathic infertility

Summary answer

Statistical significance was found in a series of correlations of E2 levels and sperm, hormonal and health parameters

What is known already

Male infertility is a rising major health concern, with sperm counts decreasing by 50-60% in the recent decades. The causes for male infertility are very different (genetic, systemic, neurological, infections, trauma, etc.), but at least 44% of cases are idiopathic. Estradiol (E2) regulates spermatogenesis by binding to classical intracellular estrogen receptors or membrane estrogen receptors to trigger genomic and nongenomic signal transduction pathways. Although E2 doesn’t carry any prognostic value by itself, as its levels don’t vary significantly between infertile and fertile men, its association with other parameters may lead to a better understanding of male infertility

Study design, size, duration

the design of cross-sectional study comprising 111 subjects- 87 infertile patients (median: 34 years, range 20–55 years) and 24 control (median: 33 years, range 20–45 years). The subjects were included in this study during 3 years (between October 2019- September2022). Inclusion criteria: spermatic parameters according to WHO 2010 Standards Exclusion criteria: Radiotherapy and/or pelvic chemotherapy (over the last 6 months), known genetic aberrations, endocrine diseases, urogenital infections, bilateral orchiectomy, vasectomy and occupational exposure.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Infertile men were grouped in azoospermia (AZOO), oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OATS/OATSS) and oligoasthenozoospermia (OAS/OASS). Blood and semen samples were collected and E2 levels were measured in both seminal and blood samples, along with sperm parameters (sperm count, motility, morphology) and other factors (BMI, hormone and vitamin D levels, BsmI polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor gene) were evaluated. E2 levels were assayed using the electrochemiluminescence method with the RocheCobas E601 autoanalyzer.

Main results and the role of chance

E2 varies slightly between the different patients’ groups, the highest values being found in the OAT/OATSS group. BMI is higher in the infertile group; significant higher values were found for the OAS/OASS (p = 0.002) and OATS/OATS (p = 0.017) groups.

Statistical analysis has revealed a significant difference between serum and seminal E2 levels in each group (AZOO p = 0.0355; OATS/OATSS p = 0.0156; control p = 0.0009), but also between OATS/OATSS seminal group and control seminal group (p = 0.0366). The E2/Inhibin ratio presented higher values in patients with OATS/OATSS (p = 0.0031) and azoospermia (p = 0.0059). The lowest values of E2/Vitamin D ratio were detected in the OAS/OASS and OATS/OATSS groups (p = 0.0254), A significant increase of E2 serum level was observed in patients from the OATS/OATSS group in the case of homozygous for mutant allele of BsmI polymorphism (p = 0.0419). The results bring new evidence regarding the role of E2 in male infertility. The obtained data indicates an interplay between E2 and Inhibin B and vitamin D serum levels, highlighting it’s the role in male infertility.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The study could be extended to a larger population sample, in order to further validate the obtained results

Wider implications of the findings

Estradiol activity plays an important role in male fertility and along with the investigated parameters could serve as potential markers in the diagnosis and management of male infertility.

Trial registration number

PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-4402