Saadia Iram, Faheem Tahir, Fazli Subhan, Sikandar Sultan, Fariyal Deepa, Mazhar Qayyum, Ali Abbas Qazilbash, Azra Khanum, Birjees Mazhar Kazi, Athar Saeed Dil.
Evaluation of serum FSH levels in various pubertal stages among Pakistani populace..
Pak J Med Res Jan ;42(1):10-3.

Objective: This study was designed to determine prevalence of hypo and hyper activity of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) among the pre-pubertal, peripubertal, pubertal and adult Pakistanis. Method: Eighty male subjects aged 6-35 years, with sub groups of 6-10 years (peri-pubertal); 11-15 years (pre-pubertal); 16-20 years (pubertal) and 21-35 years adult, were evaluated at reproductive physiology laboratory, NIH, Islamabad. Serum FSH was determined using Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA). Statistics Analysis: Data regarding age and FSH were compared by applying student ‘t’ test Results: Subjects were divided into 8 groups on the basis of pubertal stage. FSH level among the pre-pubertal stage group 67% was normal and 33% was hyper. Among per-pubertal group 75 % and 25% were normal and abnormal level of FSH respectively. In pubertal stage group 60 % were having normal levels while 40 % had elevated levels. Increase in mean age from the pre to peri-pubertal and pubertal stage was non-significant. FSH levels were lower in pre and peri pubertal groups than those in pubertal and adult groups. Conclusion: Estimation of serum FSH levels at different pubertal stages could be used as tool to investigate the nature of endicrine basis of fetility and that levels of FSH show gradual increase from pre-pubertal to peri-pubertal and reach in peak at pubertal stage where maturation of spermatogenesis takes place, demonstrating that FSH plays an important role in fertility in males.

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