title: Efficacy and safety of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone in men with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy and safety of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (rhFSH; follitropin alpha) in increasing sperm concentration in 26 men with severe isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and endocrine studies using an open design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six university clinical sites in three European countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Azoospermatic patients aged 16 to 48 years with IHH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received hCG for up to 6 months before 18 months of treatment with rhFSH. Sperm count, motility, and morphology were assessed every 3 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Achievement of a sperm concentration of 1.5 x 10(6)/mL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spermatogenesis was achieved in 15 of 19 patients who could be evaluated, 12 achieving a sperm concentration of > or =1.5 x 10(6)/mL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With hCG, rhFSH is effective in initiating spermatogenesis in patients with IHH, and is well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Neuro-endocrinology, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bouloux
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Warne
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Loumaye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone