The aim of this study was to analyse the reliability of the GH - clonidine test (GH-CT) in the diagnosis of a relative GH insufficiency in an infertile male population. Twenty seven pacients were classified in 3 groups according to clonidine dosage. Groups I (clonidine 0.150mg) and II (clonidine 0.200mg) had 9 and 6 oligozoospermic patients, respectively. Group III (clonidine 0.400mg) had 5 oligozoospermic (subgroup IIIa) and 7 normozoospermic patients (subgroup IIIb). Thirty one GH-CT were performed and 29 of them were included in the study. Five (17.2%) normal GH-CT were observed (1 in group I, 1 in group II and 3 in subgroup IIIb). GH responses at 60, 90 and 120 min after clonidine stimulation showed no significant differences in groups I, II and III, neither between subgroups IIIa and IIIb. We conclude that the GH-CT is of no use in the diagnosis of a relative GH insufficiency in the infertile male, irrespective of the clonidine dosage. The reason is the clonidine inability to carry out a reliable GH stimulation in the adult male.
Growth hormone; GH - clonidine test; Male infertility; GH insufficiency
