title: Pulsatile GnRH-therapy in oligozoospermic men does not improve seminal parameters despite decreased FSH levels.
abstract: In order to evaluate GnRH administration for the treatment of infertile men with elevated serum FSH levels we administered GnRH in pulses via portable electronic infusion pumps initially to seven patients with low sperm counts and high FSH values over 12 weeks and later to nine further patients over 24 weeks who also underwent testicular biopsies. Fifty microlitres containing 5 micrograms GnRH were infused subcutaneously for 1 min every 120 min in the short-term study and every 90 min in the long-term study. Although FSH levels could be lowered in both groups of patients, none showed any improvement in sperm count or other seminal parameters. Therefore, pulsatile GnRH treatment cannot be recommended for therapy of severe oligozoospermia with elevated FSH levels.
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Clinical Research Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Dermatology Hospital, FR Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bals-Pratsch
authors.forename: U A
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Knuth
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hönigl
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergmann
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nieschlag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010906:Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010906:Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone