FSH treatment improves sperm function in patients after varicocelectomy.
One-hundred and eighty-three patients affected with idiopathic left varicocele, aged between 18 and 45 years, surgically treated have been studied. They were divided in 3 subsets according to sperm count: group A: <10 x 10(6)/ml, group B: 10-20 x 10(6)/ml, group C: >20 x 10(6)/ml. Six months after surgery 115 patients were treated for 3 months with pure human FSH: 75 IU i.m. every other day, while 68 patients treated with placebo served as control group. After therapy, group A showed a significant clear-cut improvement of sperm parameters: count, forward progression, swollen tails and cervical mucus penetration test (CMPT). In group B a significant improvement of sperm motility, viability, DNA integrity and CMPT was observed, while in group C only a significant improvement of CMPT was observed. In conclusion, it can be suggested that FSH treatment in patients after varicocelectomy could improve spermatogenesis, particularly in those who previously have more compromised sperm quality. On the contrary, no significant difference of sperm patterns was recorded in the control group before and after placebo.
Zarrilli
S
S
Dipartimento di Endocrinologia ed Oncologia Molecolare e Clinica, University of Napoli Federico II, Italy.
Paesano
L
L
Colao
A
A
Mirone
V
V
Lombardi
G
G
De Rosa
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014646:Varicocele / Q000601:surgery*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D004247:DNA