Correlation between reproductive hormones levels and semen quality in patients with diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is rarely sought among infertile patients due to a lack of studies and inconsistency regarding its impact on semen quality. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the influence of T2DM on the pituitary gland hormones (FSH and LH) in males. A total of 60 participants participated in this study, of which 35 were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and 25 were without diabetes. Fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, LH, FSH, TT, E2, and prolactin were tested. Diabetic men had lower serum LH, FSH, and TT levels than non-diabetics and higher prolactin and E2 levels. According to the semen examination, including sperm count, PH, motility, and morphology, diabetic patients had considerably lower sperm counts, motility, and morphology than non-diabetic patients. In conclusion, the decrease in the concentration of reproductive hormones in diabetic patients leads to sexual weakness, resulting in abnormal seminal fluid parameters, which are below the normal levels than in apparently healthy persons.