Immunohistochemical detection of estrogen and progesterone receptors in spermatozoa of infertile men

Objective-To evaluate the clinical implication of sex steroidal actions on human spermatozoa. Patients and Methods-Human spermatozoa were obtained from 20 males. Immunohistochemical staining for estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) was conducted by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. Results-Positive immunohistochemical staining of ER and PR was observed in all 8 cases of fertile couples. From infertile couples, ER detected in 8/12 cases, including 3 with normozoospermia, 2 with oligozoospermia, 1 with asthenozoospermia, and 2 with teratozoospermia, but not in 4/12 cases, 1 with normozoospermia, 1 with asthenozoospermia, and 2 with oligoasthenozoospermia. PR were undetectable in all cases of negative ER and in 1 case (normozoospermia) of positive ER. Conclusion-Negative ER and/or PR in spermatozoa from infertile couples might be involved in cases of male infertility.