title: The treatment with tranilast, a mast cell blocker, for idiopathic oligozoospermia.
abstract: Although many drug treatments have been reported to theoretically improve semen parameters in male infertility, a standard method has not been established. The authors examined whether tranilast, a mast cell blocker, improves fertility and/or semen parameters in severe oligozoospermia. Seventeen patients with a sperm density of less than 10 x 10(6) sperm/mL and their fertile partners were enrolled in this study. Patients were prescribed tranilast 300 mg/day for at least 12 weeks. Semen and blood samples were collected before and after the prescription of tranilast for 12 weeks. Semen parameters, serum gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, serum testosterone, and testicular size were evaluated. One patient complained of mild drowsiness during treatment. The sperm count was significantly increased after administration of tranilast in 7 patients (41.1%), although sperm motility was not altered. Semen volume and normal morphology were also unaltered. Three pregnancies were achieved. Endocrine profile and testicular size were unchanged. Tranilast, a mast cell blocker, is clinically useful for the treatment of severe idiopathic oligozoospermic men.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, Nagakute, Japan. 104963@gk.amu.aichi-med-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hibi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitsui
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taki
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Honda
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fukatsu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C012293:tranilast