title: Repeated successful induction of fertility after replacing hydrocortisone with dexamethasone in a patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and testicular adrenal rest tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report repeated successful induction of fertility in an adult male patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART).
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 23-year-old male CAH patient with bilateral TART and azoospermia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changing glucocorticoid medication from 30 mg of hydrocortisone to 0.75 mg of dexamethasone (DXM) daily.
  
  
  METHODS
  Improved semen analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With the use of ultrasound screening, TART were detected in the 23-year-old patient. The semen analysis showed azoospermia. In an attempt to decrease tumor size and improve testicular function, his glucocorticoid medication was changed from hydrocortisone to an equivalent dosage of DXM. The azoospermia was quickly reversed, and his partner conceived within 7 months of stopping oral contraceptives. Due to his progressive weight gain and striae, his medication was changed back to hydrocortisone, and he again developed again azoospermia. Two years later, the patient started again with DXM at the same dosage. His sperm concentration increased with progressive weight gain. Seven months later his partner became pregnant for the second time; afterward, the DXM treatment was changed back to hydrocortisone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In male CAH patients with testicular adrenal rest tumors, infertility may be reversible by replacing hydrocortisone with short courses of an equivalent dosage of DXM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. h.claahsen@cukz.umcn.nl <h.claahsen@cukz.umcn.nl>
authors.forename: Hedi L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Claahsen-van der Grinten
authors.forename: Barto J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Otten
authors.forename: Fred C G J
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Sweep
authors.forename: Ad R M M
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hermus
mesh_terms: D000312:Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000032:analysis; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013076:Sperm Count; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone