Female & Male Fertility

Sex hormones produced by the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, adrenal glands, testicles, ovary, and placenta play a key role in sexual development, sperm production, and ovulation. Abnormalities in their secretion, as well as other hormonal or organ system functions, may contribute to human infertility. Determination of the level of testosterone and other androgen hormones are used to investigate male (in)fertility. Ovulation prediction tests to detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) or progesterone, which can also document ovulation are used to investigate the (in)fertility in women. Other hormone levels, such as prolactin, pituitary, or thyroid hormones also may be checked. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a possible cause of infertility. Leptin/adiponectin ratio may serve as an independent biomarker for the diagnosis of PCOS.