Is testicular microlithiasis associated with decreased semen parameters? a systematic review

Table 3 Comparison of FSH, LH and testosterone levels in 4 studies that compared men with testicular microlithiasis to those in control groups

Authors and reference number	Year	Number in Sample		FSH		LH		Testosterone
Authors and reference number	Year	TM	Control	Difference compared to control group?	Statistically significant difference?	Difference compared to control group?	Statistically significant difference?	Difference compared to control group?	Statistically significant difference?
*Infertile Population:*
D’Andrea et al. [9]	2021	93	97					↓	✗
Rassam et al. [32]	2020	218	2696	↑	✓	↑	✗	↓	✗
Sakamoto et al. [49]	2006	31	519	↓	✗	↑	✗
*Asymptomatic/healthy population:*
Anvari Aria et al. [51]	2020	42	4797	↑^a	✗	↓	✗	↑	✗

Summary table of the included studies that compared follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and testosterone levels in men with testicular microlithiasis compared to controls. The table indicates the direction of the difference in the testicular microlithiasis group compared to the control group and if the difference was statistically significant. TM testicular microlithiasis, FSH follicle stimulating hormone, LH luteinising hormone, ✓ Yes (in response to the question in the respective column), ✗ No (in response to the question in the respective column), ↓: decrease, ↑: increase, a: bilateral TM only. Bold indicates that values have been calculated by the review authors from data in the study (where applicable, the statistical test used was the independent samples t-test). Blank spaces indicate that there was insufficient data available to answer the question

ISSN: 2051-4190