FSH Levels in Men and Why it Matters for Fertility - Path Fertility (2024)

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FSH Levels in Men and Why it Matters for Fertility - Path Fertility? ›

The Crucial Role of FSH in Male Fertility

As discussed previously, a normal FSH (1.0–7.0 mIU/mL) is usually consistent with good sperm production, whereas an elevated FSH generally signals a possible testicular problem with sperm production (as the pituitary gland is trying to tell the testicl*s to make more sperm).

High FSH levels in men may mean the testicl*s are not functioning correctly due to: Advancing age (male menopause) Damage to testicl*s caused by alcohol overuse, chemotherapy, or radiation. Problems with genes, such as Klinefelter syndrome.

In the male FSH is required for the determination of Sertoli cell number, and for induction and maintenance of normal sperm production. The crucial role of FSH in male gonadal function has been clearly illustrated by the discovery of a patient with an activating mutation of the FSH receptor.

A study on day 3 FSH levels and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes showed that people with day 3 FSH levels lower than 15 milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/mL) had a better chance of becoming pregnant with an IVF attempt when compared to people with FSH levels between 15 mIU/ml and 24.9 mIU/ml.

FSH reflects the status of spermatogenesis (i.e. the ability to produce sperm) as a result of the feedback between the testis and hypothalamus/pituitary glands. An elevated FSH level is indicative of abnormal spermatogenesis and may indicate primary testicular failure.

An elevated FSH indicates diminished ovarian reserve. Diminished ovarian reserve is associated with a reduced number of follicles or eggs, often of questionable quality. Statistically, the chances of a successful pregnancy for women with demonstrated and consistently high FSH levels are not good.

When the brain detects that the ovary is struggling to make eggs, it drives the ovary harder and raises its FSH production. A healthy ovary responds to an elevated level of FSH by producing several mature eggs. When the ovary's egg production is compromised it will produce only one egg, regardless of the level of FSH.

It triggers the growth of eggs in the ovaries and gets the eggs ready for ovulation. Ovulation is when an ovary releases an egg so it can travel down a fallopian tube where it can be fertilized by sperm. In men, FSH helps control the amount of sperm that the testicl*s (testes) make.

Can you get pregnant with high FSH? ›

Your FSH level varies throughout your cycle, and as you might expect, is highest just before ovulation. You might expect that this means that a high FSH level is a positive indication for fertility, but unfortunately, it is not.

GnRH stimulates FSH release. The hypothalamus produces GnRH, and it is released into the hypophyseal portal circulation to act on G-protein-coupled receptors at gonadotropic cells of the anterior pituitary.

It signals the ovaries that it is time to make an egg each month. As the eggs decrease in quality, they are more resistant to FSH and it takes more and more FSH to keep the cycle progressing. Therefore, the higher the FSH value, the lower the quality of the eggs.

FSH levels measure egg quality and ovarian reserve, or how well the ovaries are working. A normal FSH means the ovaries are working well. An elevated FSH (greater than 10) can be an early indication of decreased fertility.

1.4 to 9.9 mIU/mL (follicular phase) 6.2 to 17.2 mIU/mL (ovulatory peak)

At high doses, FSH increased sperm concentration, total sperm count, and progressive motility. Sperm morphology showed a trend toward the increase.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

This hormone is key to spermatogenesis. It works closely with LH to produce sperm in the testes. Specifically, FSH is responsible for the function and maturation of the Sertoli cells, which are somatic (non-reproductive) cells in the testes essential for sperm production.