Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme--a new concept of medical treatment of male infertility?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of systemic captopril therapy.


METHODS
Randomized double-blind study.


METHODS
Andrology Unit at the Department of Dermatology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany.


METHODS
Infertile men suffering from oligozoospermia (5-20 x 10(6) spermatozoa/mL) and/or asthenozoospermia.


METHODS
Captopril was given orally; samples of seminal plasma were collected twice before treatment and 4 and 12 weeks after captopril administration.


METHODS
Semen parameters, pregnancy rate, ACE activity, and kinin levels.


RESULTS
After 4 weeks of therapy, significant differences between verum group and placebo group were found concerning ACE activity and kinin levels. Sperm density improved significantly after 12 weeks of captopril therapy. All other semen parameters remained unchanged. The pregnancy rate was not improved.


CONCLUSIONS
The suitability of captopril in the therapy of oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia for improvement of male infertility seems to be limited.
Schill
W B
WB
Department of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
Parsch
E M
EM
Miska
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002216:Captopril / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D007705:Kinins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000032:analysis; D012661:Semen / Q000737:chemistry; D013076:Sperm Count
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D007705:Kinins; D002216:Captopril; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A