An evaluation of the effect of pentoxifylline on sperm function and treatment outcome of male-factor infertility: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to study the effect of pentoxifylline (PF) on fertilization rates in couples with previous failure of fertilization and male-factor infertility and to determine the predictive value of conventional semen analysis parameters in selecting the couples who would benefit from the elective use of PF in IVF.


METHODS
This prospective controlled study was conducted in an assisted conception


METHODS
Sixty-nine couples with previous failed IVF cycle, who had a low fertilization rate and/or male-factor infertility, were recruited to the study. Multiple follicular development was induced using the same protocol of human menopausal gonadotropin and gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue in both cycles. The oocytes were inseminated with spermatozoa treated with PF. The fertilization rates in the PF cycle were compared to the reference cycle based on semen analysis parameters and previous fertilization rates.


RESULTS
In couples with male infertility, the fertilization rate improved significantly, from 17 to 50% in PF cycles (P < 0.001). A significant improvement in fertilization rate was also demonstrated in couples with previous poor fertilization, < 30% (P < 0.01), particularly in those with a very low fertilization rate, < 20% (P < 0.001). Although there was an overall improvement in fertilization rates in couples with male-factor infertility, there was no cutoff value in sperm motility that would make a significant difference in the impact of PF on fertilization rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Couples with poor fertilization rates in vitro benefit with a significant improvement in fertilization by the elective use of PF. The improvement is most significant in couples with previous complete failure of fertilization and poor fertilization rates, < 30%.
Fountain
S
S
Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge, UK.
Rizk
B
B
Avery
S
S
Palmer
C
C
Blayney
M
M
Macnamee
M
M
Mills
C
C
Brinsden
P
P
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male; D008297:Male; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013081:Sperm Motility; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010431:Pentoxifylline