title: From zero to one hundred million in six months: the treatment of azoospermia in congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
abstract: In the majority of the 25% of couples in which a male factor is responsible for their infertility, no identifiable pathology is found. It is unusual to be faced with an etiology that is readily amenable to successful treatment without the eventual dependence on assisted reproductive techniques for pregnancy. The diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia has variable implications on fertility. A case is presented of azoospermia in a man diagnosed with classical non-salt-losing congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Within 9 months of treatment with dexamethasone, his sperm count had risen to above 100 million per milliliter, enough to overcome very poor morphology and a naturally conceived pregnancy ensued. The pregnancy is ongoing. Although an increase in sperm count has been shown in such cases, the degree of improvement in semen parameters is unique, especially in an azoospermic patient.
authors.affiliation: Assisted Conception Unit, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NH, UK. james.nicopoullos@chelwest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: J D M
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Nicopoullos
authors.forename: J W A
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ramsay
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cassar
mesh_terms: D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone