title: Placebo-controlled trial of high-dose Mesterolone treatment of idiopathic male infertility.
abstract: The possible effect of Mesterolone (Schering N.V., Brussels, Belgium) (1 alpha-methyl-5-alpha-androstane-17 beta-ol-3-one) on semen quality and fertility of men with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia and/or teratozoospermia has been evaluated in a double-blind trial. The study included 52 patients who were treated during 12 months with either 150 mg/d of Mesterolone or placebo. The overall pregnancy rate was similar in the Mesterolone-treated cases (26%) and in the placebo control cases (48%), although a significant increase in motility and in the proportion of spermatozoa with normal morphology was recorded in the Mesterolone-treated cases. Because similar semen improvement also occurred in the placebo controls, our findings cast doubt on the possible usefulness of high-dose Mesterolone treatment of idiopathic male infertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Middleheim General Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gerris
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Comhaire
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hellemans
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schoonjans
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008655:Mesterolone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D008655:Mesterolone; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone