Tamoxifen treatment in male infertility. I. Effect on spermatozoa.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of tamoxifen treatment on sperm density, motility, vitality, and morphology.


METHODS
Placebo-controlled, randomized study.


METHODS
Outpatient department.


METHODS
Patients were assigned to two comparable groups: group A (n = 122) was treated with 10 mg tamoxifen twice daily for a period of 3 months and group B (n = 117) was given placebo for the same period of time, following a previously randomized design.


METHODS
In every patient sperm density, motility, viability, and morphology were evaluated 3 months after cessation of treatment.


RESULTS
Mean sperm density in group A improved significantly with a more pronounced improvement in severe oligozoospermic men. Sperm density was found significantly improved compared with group B. Dead spermatozoa in group A significantly decreased after tamoxifen treatment and were also found significantly decreased compared with group B.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that tamoxifen exerts a beneficial effect on sperm density and number of live spermatozoa but it has no substantial effect in sperm motility and morphology.
Kotoulas
I G
IG
Department of Gynecology, General Hospital of Athens, Greece.
Cardamakis
E
E
Michopoulos
J
J
Mitropoulos
D
D
Dounis
A
A
D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013629:Tamoxifen