Relationship between the G protein–coupled oestrogen receptor and spermatogenesis, and its correlation with male infertility

• Published in: Andrologia Vol. 52; no. 10; pp. e13779 - n/a
• Main Authors: Barut, Osman, Seyithanoglu, Muhammed, Kucukdurmaz, Faruk, Demir, Bekir Turkay, Olmez, Caner, Dogan, Neslihan Temiz, Resim, Sefa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.11.2020
• Subjects: G protein–coupled oestrogen receptor; Infertility; male; oestradiol; Semen; Sperm; Spermatogenesis; Testosterone; Ultrasound; oestradiol; spermatogenesis; G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor; infertility; male
• ISSN: 0303-4569; 1439-0272
• DOI: 10.1111/and.13779

The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of serum G protein–coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER) levels and their correlation with semen parameters in men with infertility. The participants were divided into two groups as follows: 76 fertile control men (Group 1) and 77 infertile men (Group 2). Semen analysis, hormonal evaluation, serum GPER level and scrotal ultrasound of the participants were evaluated. Follicle‐stimulating hormone and total testosterone levels were not significantly different between the groups (p = .413 and p = .535 respectively). The oestradiol level in Group 1 was significantly lower than that in Group 2 (p < .001). The serum GPER level was found to be significantly higher in Group 1 than that of Group 2 (p < .001). GPER levels were positively correlated with the total sperm count, sperm concentration, motility and morphology in Group 2 (r = 0.303, 0.345, 0.260 and 0.322, respectively, p < .001). In this study, GPER levels were positively correlated with sperm parameters, and it was hypothesised that the decrease in GPER expression might be associated with male infertility by adversely affecting spermatogenesis.