Pure follicle-stimulating hormone as an adjuvant therapy for selected cases in male infertility during in-vitro fertilization is beneficial.
OBJECTIVE
Since research has demonstrated the possibility of hormonal therapy for male infertility, we conducted a study to analyze the efficacy of pure follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) treatment in patients with idiopathic, severe oligoteratoastheno-spermia (OTA) syndrome, or failed fertilization before referral to an intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) program.


METHODS
A retrospective, clinical study was carried out on 178 men with OTA syndrome. Group I comprised 76 patients selected for treatment with pFSH. Group II comprised 102 men who served as the controls. Pure FSH was administered intramuscularly to the patients in group I. Upon cessation of therapy, an IVF treatment cycle was carried out.


RESULTS
After treatment with FSH, sperm motility was the only parameter which significantly improved in Group I (34% vs. 23%, and 15% vs. 24% in the subgroups of Group 1, respectively; P<0.05). In-vitro fertilization pregnancy rates were similar in both groups. The highest spontaneous pregnancy rates were achieved in FSH-treated, severe OTA patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with severe male factor infertility may benefit from pFSH in terms of sperm motility, fertilization by IVF and spontaneous pregnancy rates. Selection criteria for FSH treatment are proposed.
Dirnfeld
M
M
IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carmel Medical Center, 7 Michal Street, 34362, Haifa, Israel.
Katz
G
G
Calderon
I
I
Abramovici
H
H
Bider
D
D
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone