title: Lower sperm DNA fragmentation after r-FSH administration in functional hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An observational clinical and molecular study was designed to evaluate the effects of the administration of recombinant human FSH on sperm DNA fragmentation in men with a non-classical form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the study were included 53 men with a non-classical form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. In all patients, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) in situ DNA nick end-labelling (TUNEL) assay, was evaluated before starting the treatment with 150 IU of recombinant human FSH, given three times a week for at least 3 months. Patients' semen analysis and DNA fragmentation index were re-evaluated after the 3-month treatment period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After recombinant human FSH therapy, we did not find any differences in terms of sperm count, motility and morphology. The average DNA fragmentation index was significantly reduced (21.15 vs 15.2, p<0.05), but we found a significant reduction in patients with high basal DFI values (>15 %), while no significant variation occurred in the patients with DFI values ≤ 15 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recombinant human FSH administration improves sperm DNA integrity in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia men with DNA fragmentation index value >15 % .
authors: Centro di Biologia della Riproduzione, via V. Villareale 54, 90141, Palermo, Italy. ruvologi@hotmail.com
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Ruvolo
authors: Maria Carmela
authors: MC
authors: Roccheri
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Brucculeri
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Longobardi
authors: Ettore
authors: E
authors: Cittadini
authors: Liana
authors: L
authors: Bosco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053627:Asthenozoospermia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013076:Sperm Count; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; D011994:Recombinant Proteins