Assessment of Sex Hormone Levels in HIV Serodiscordant Couples in Jos, Nigeria
Published: 2022-09-02
Page: 150-157
Issue: 2022 - Volume 5 [Issue 1]
Duru Boniface Nnamdi *
Department of Chemical Pathology, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom, Nigeria.
Meludu Samuel Chukwuemeka
Department of Human Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria and Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Ogbodo Emmanuel Chukwuemeka
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Onah Christian Ejike
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Onyema-iloh Obiageli Bridget
Department of Chemical Pathology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Amaifeobu Clement
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This was a cross sectional study design to assess the sex hormone levels in HIV serodiscordant couples in Jos, Nigeria. A total of 20 discordant serodiscordant HIV couples (40 patients) and 20 controls (40 non HIV couples) aged between 18 and 49 years were included in the study. 5ml of fasting venous blood sample was collected from each participant into plain containers for the evaluation of sex hormones levels. Female samples were taken two weeks prior to menstruation (follicular phase). Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), progesterone, estrogen/estradiol (E2), and Testosterone (TT) were determined by using standard ELISA technique. The results revealed that while there was no statistically significant difference in the mean serum levels of LH, Testosterone, progesterone, or estradiol between the HIV serodiscordant couples and the control group (p>0.05), FSH level in the HIV serodiscordant couples was significantly lower than in the control group (7.84±7.39 Vs 10.62±4.19; p=0.042). However, gender comparison showed that FSH, LH and progesterone levels in the male and female HIV discordant groups were not significantly different from those in the male and female control groups, respectively (p>0.05). TT level was significantly lower while E2 was higher in the male HIV discordant group than in the male control group (p=0.000) whereas E2 level was significantly lower in the female HIV discordant group than in the female control group (p=0.000). Furthermore, the mean serum TT levels was significantly lower in the male exposed HIV seronegative individuals compared to male control (p=0.000) while progesterone level was significantly lower in the male HIV seropositives than in the male control (p=0.021) as well as in the male exposed HIV seronegative individuals compared to the male HIV seropositive individuals (p=0.000). This study revealed significant alterations in the sex hormone levels in HIVserodiscordant couples and this requires further studies with larger sample size to ascertain the current findings.
Keywords: HIV, HIV serodiscordant couple, sex hormones, gender