Endocrine manipulation in male infertility.
Endocrine therapy for male infertility is broadly categorized as specific or nonspecific therapy. Although uncommon, primary endocrine diagnoses in infertile men are amenable to targeted therapy. The efficacy of empiric endocrine therapy for idiopathic male infertility, however, has not been demonstrated conclusively by clinical trials. With better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of idiopathic male infertility, careful evaluation of endocrine therapy in well-selected treatment groups and well-designed randomized, controlled trials is warranted. Although empiric endocrine therapy for idiopathic male infertility has been largely replaced by assisted reproductive techniques, both treatment modalities could play a role, perhaps as combination therapy.
Kim
Howard H
HH
Department of Urology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Cornell Institute for Reproductive Medicine, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Schlegel
Peter N
PN
D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male
D000728:Androgens; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D006728:Hormones; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone