Table 1 Comparison of serum sex hormones (FSH, LH, and free testosterone levels) and epidydimal sperm parameters (count and motility) in all studied groups

Serum FSH (μIU/ml)

mean ± SD

0.4 ± 0.03

0.38 ± 0.03

0.25 ± 0.04

0.32 ± 0.027

P value of LSD

P = 0.243^a

P < 0.001*^a,b

P < 0.001*^a,c, P < 0.01*^b

Serum LH (μIU/ml)

mean ± SD

0.37 ± 0.02

0.36 ± 0.04

0.2 ± 0.03

0.3 ± 0.02

P value of LSD

P = 0.498^a

P < 0.001*^a,b

P < 0.001*^a,b,c

Serum-free testosterone (ng/ml)

mean ± SD

4.66 ± 0.44

4.7 ± 0.3

1.33 ± 0.22

3.03 ± 0.42

P value of LSD

P = 0.806^a

P < 0.001*^a,b

P < 0.001*^a,b,c

Epidydimal sperm count (millions/ml)

P value of LSD

51.5 ± 4.03

52.3 ± 4.42

26.9 ± 5.42

40.7 ± 5.39

mean ± SD

P = 0.715^a

P < 0.001*^a,b

P < 0.001*^a,b,c

Epidydimal sperm motility (%)

P value of LSD

73.7 ± 6.32

75.3 ± 6.03

36.1 ± 6.6

56 ± 8.48

mean ± SD

P = 0.609^a

P < 0.001*^a,b

P < 0.001*^a,b,c