Evidence for a stimulatory role of high doses of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone in the treatment of male-factor infertility.

The efficacy of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (rh FSH) in the treatment of normogonadotropic patients with male-factor infertility was assessed. Forty-five infertile men with moderate/severe oligoasthenozoospermia and normal FSH, luteinizing hormone ( LH) and testosterone (T) levels were treated with high rh FSH dose (300 IU) on alternate days for ≥4 months. In all, the seminal parameters, endocrine profile ( FSH, LH, prolactin (PRL), total and free T and estradiol) and pregnancy rate were evaluated before, during and after rh FSH treatment. Fifteen infertile men were treated with placebo and studied in the same way, as control group. rh FSH treatment induced a marked increase in sperm count and no change in sperm motility, morphology and viability. No changes in seminal parameters were observed in the placebo group. FSH levels increased during treatment with rh FSH and not with placebo. No variations in LH, PRL, free and total T and estradiol were evidenced during treatment. A significant pregnancy rate in rh FSH versus placebo patients was also highlighted. Prolonged treatment with high rh FSH doses leads to increase sperm count and improve the spontaneous pregnancy rate in normogonadotropic infertile patients with oligoasthenozoospermia. rh FSH may represent a rational and useful tool in the treatment of male-factor infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]