Semen parameters in Egyptian diabetic patients and its correlation with glycosylated hemoglobin level: A case - control study

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a well-known metabolic disorder affecting a large population worldwide. Both types of DM could have detrimental effects on semen parameters as well as the hormonal profile of the affected males. Objective: On designing the current study, we sought to evaluate the effect of long-term control of DM by measuring glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and detect its possible correlation with semen parameters and hormonal profile of male patients with DM. Patients and Methods: A prospective case–control study was conducted on 60 males with DM and 40 matched controls. All participants were subjected to conventional semen analysis and measurement of free and total testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Measurement of HbA1c level was made for all participants. Results: A significant negative correlation was found between HbA1c and free testosterone levels, whereas a significant positive correlation between HbA1c and prolactin levels in patients with DM. No significant correlation was reported between HbA1c and semen parameters in patients with DM. Conclusion: Patients with DM have significantly lower semen parameters and reproductive hormone levels than matched healthy controls which might impair their fecundity and reproductive capacity. We do recommend that all males with abnormal semen analysis should undergo screening for DM.