Egg Quality Test

Infertility profile blood test looks for the hormonal imbalances which may be the reason for infertility in both men and women. This test looks for both infertility male parameters and male parameters.

Infertility Test- Male Parameters:

• Luteinizing hormone
• Follicle stimulating hormone
• Testosterone
• Semen volume
• Sperm count
• Sperm Motility
• Sperm concentration
• Semen pH

Infertility Test- Female Parameters:

• Luteinizing hormone
• Prolactin
• Estradiol
• Follicle stimulating hormone

Luteinizing hormone (LH):

LH is a gonadotropin hormone produced in the anterior pituitary gland. It affects the sex organs in both men and women during sexual development. In women, LH works with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to stimulate the ovarian follicle to produce the female sex hormone, estrogen. The rise in estrogen stimulates the release of more LH. This cause the ovarian follicle to release the mature egg from the ovary, a process called ovulation and turns the remnants of the follicle into a corpus luteum. If fertilization occurs, the LH stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone. Progesterone is an essential hormone needed to maintain pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur the levels of progesterone drop off leading to the beginning of next cycle. Thus this hormone plays an important role in menstruation, ovulation, and puberty. In men, LH hormone binds to receptors in Leydig cells present in the testes. This hormone stimulates the production of testosterone from these cells that are necessary for the production of sperms. Therefore, LH plays a major role in regulating the function of testes in men. This hormone plays an important role in puberty and fertility.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH):

Follicle stimulating hormone is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It plays an important role in sexual development. In men, FSH stimulates the production of testosterone that is necessary for the production of sperms. Thus, FSH plays a major role in regulating the function of testes in men. This hormone plays an important role in puberty and fertility. In women, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) helps in the growth of ovarian follicle and also stimulate the ovarian follicle to produce the female sex hormone, estrogen. Thus, this hormone plays an important role in menstruation, ovulation, and puberty.

Testosterone:

This hormone is responsible for male physical characteristics and known as a male sex hormone. This is mainly produced by the Leydig cells which are present in the male testicles. In the presence of LH only, testicles produce testosterone. Testosterone plays an important role in the facilitation of spermatogenesis. Testosterone stimulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics in men like the growth of the body hair, deepening of the voice, enlargement of the penis (sex organ in men), muscle development.

Prolactin:

Prolactin is also known as PRL or lactogenic hormone and is produced by the pituitary gland. It has wide-ranging functions in the body, from acting on the reproductive system to influencing behavior and regulating the immune system. Prolactin helps in the production of breast milk in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Small amounts of prolactin are produced in both men and women that help to measure the sexual satisfaction in both men and women.

Estradiol:

Estradiol is a form of estrogen called as 17 beta-estradiol. It is made by ovaries, breasts and adrenal glands. Placenta also makes estradiol during pregnancy. It is the most important hormone during a female’s reproductive years and is required for reproductive and sexual function. Estradiol is useful in the growth and development of breasts, vagina, fallopian tubes, uterus. It also controls the fat distribution in the female body and is essential for bones and joints health in females.

What is infertility?

Infertility is a condition in which an individual is unable to get pregnant. It is diagnosed after a couple has tried to get pregnant for 12 months without success. Infertility may also be diagnosed when a woman succeeded to get pregnant but has been unable to carry a fetus to term (miscarriage). Hormones produced by glands play important role in fertilization including the hypothalamus, thyroid gland, and pituitary gland and also woman’s ovaries and a man’s testicles. Age is an important factor which plays a role in fertility. Peak fertility in a woman occurs at her early 20’s and declines substantially by age 35 and even more so after age 40. By the time a woman reaches menopause, few eggs may be available or functional. As man ages, the number of sperm decreases, along with sperm motility, thus reducing the chances of pregnancy. Other age-related problems are erectile or ejaculation problems and low testosterone and prostate. Apart from age, the other factors that may affect fertility in both men and women are diabetes, obese or being underweight, exposure to chemicals or toxins, excessive exercise, unhealthy lifestyle or habits like smoking, alcohol, or drugs, diabetes, etc.

Why this test is performed?

This test may be recommended to you to rule out the causes of infertility. This test also helps in selecting the suitable treatment based on the test results.

The normal test results may vary depending on age, health history, medical condition, etc.

The test results can be interpreted only by your doctor based on your gender. Hence consult your doctor soon after receiving your lab reports for further diagnosis or medical intervention.