Recombinant FSH in the treatment of oligozoospermia.
BACKGROUND
FSH plays a crucial role in human reproduction. Treatment with gonadotrophins has been shown to be effective in males affected by hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. The success of this treatment has brought about the utilization of the same therapy in infertile oligozoospermic subjects, aimed at obtaining increased sperm count. This physiological role in spermatogenesis has induced various attempts to treat idiopathic oligozoospermic men with FSH, often inducing the restoration of normal spermatogenesis and spontaneous pregnancy.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical efficacy of recombinant FSH in male infertility.


METHODS
Evaluation of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic properties, efficacy and safety of this hormone preparation, on the basis of the data published in literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Recombinant FSH is effective, safe and well tolerated. Treatment with this hormone may represent a valid tool for infertile men. However it should be performed on selected patients utilizing some predictive parameters able to identify a priori responder subjects with high probability.
Foresta
Carlo
C
Department of Histology, Section of Clinical Pathology & Centre for Male Gamete Cryopreservation, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. carlo.foresta@unipd.it
Selice
Riccardo
R
Ferlin
Alberto
A
Garolla
Andrea
A
D000818:Animals; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone