A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the use of methylprednisolone in infertile men with sperm-associated immunoglobulins.
Forty-three men with antibody-mediated infertility identified by measuring sperm-associated immunoglobulin with a direct radiolabeled antiglobulin assay were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled protocol to judge the efficacy of corticosteroids in this condition. In the active drug group, men were given 96 mg methylprednisolone in three divided doses for 7 days followed by a 2-day tapering of the drug. The control group was given placebo in the same manner. Both regimens were repeated three times approximately 1 month apart on the basis of their female partner's menstrual cycle. There was not a favorable effect of corticosteroids over placebo on the men's semen parameters, the results of assays for sperm-associated IgA and plasma IgG antisperm antibodies, or the men's subsequent fertility. There was a statistically significant effect on sperm-associated IgG in men given methylprednisolone compared with men given placebo.
D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D011897:Random Allocation; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors
D000906:Antibodies; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010919:Placebos; D008775:Methylprednisolone