Endocrine causes of male infertility

Approximately 15% of couples have difficulty conceiving; approximately one half of these couples have a male factor as the cause. Male fertility is critically dependent upon an intact hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis for normal sperm production and sexual function. Male infertility can be the presenting sign for a variety of potentially serious, underlying endocrine disorders. Thus, it is important that infertile men have an appropriate evaluation.