Azoospermia after treatment with clomiphene citrate in patients with oligospermia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe three cases of azoospermia in patients with oligospermia after clomiphene citrate (CC) intake.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Academic medical center.


METHODS
Three patients with oligospermia.


METHODS
Three oligospermic men used CC, resulting in azoospermia.


METHODS
Semen analysis after CC use and after discontinuation of CC.


RESULTS
Three patients were sent to our clinic for investigation of their azoospermia after use of CC. They had severe oligozoospermia (sperm concentrations of 3.4, 2.8, and 4.1 x 10(6)/mL, respectively) before treatment with CC. These patients were re-evaluated with two new semen analyses, showing azoospermia. After 3 months without use of the drug, the mean sperm concentration was 2.5 +/- 1.1 x 10(6)/mL.


CONCLUSIONS
The benefits of empiric treatment with CC must be balanced with the possible undesirable effects, such as azoospermia.
Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, and CONCEPTION, Center for Human Reproduction, Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil. Fabio@conception-rs.com.br
Fabio Firmbach
FF
Pasqualotto
Gabriela Poglia
GP
Fonseca
Eleonora Bedin
EB
Pasqualotto
D053713:Azoospermia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005303:Fertility Agents, Male / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*
D005303:Fertility Agents, Male; D002996:Clomiphene