Background: Infertility affects 15-25% of couples globally, with male factor contributing to approximately 40-50% of cases, a significant proportion of which are idiopathic. Treatment options for idiopathic male infertility remain limited and often yield inconclusive results, necessitating reliance on assisted reproductive technologies. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) therapy, well established for the treatment of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, is also empirically applied to idiopathic male infertility. In patients with low-normal FSH levels, this therapy is utilized with the rationale of overstimulating spermatogenesis to enhance sperm quality and quantity, ultimately aiming to improve pregnancy rates. Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy of FSH therapy in male partners of infertile couples with idiopathic oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia and plasma FSH levels < 8 IU/L. Specifically, it assesses the effects on seminal parameters – sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. Secondary objectives include quantifying the magnitude of these improvements, determining the clinical relevance of FSH therapy, and comparing the efficacy of different FSH formulations. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine of the University Hospital of Padua. Patients with idiopathic male infertility who underwent a standard FSH treatment protocol were included. Semen analyses were performed before and after treatment. Data were extracted from medical records. Results: FSH therapy significantly improved sperm quantity and quality. Total sperm count increased markedly (p < 0.001), as did the total number of motile sperm (p < 0.001). Combined progressive and non-progressive motility also showed significantly improvement (p = 0.032), alongside a reduction in immotile sperm (p = 0.025). No statistically significant changes were observed in semen volume, pH, and morphology. Additionally, no significant differences were detected among the three FSH formulations used (highly purified FSH, recombinant FSH α, and recombinant FSH β). Conclusions: FSH therapy effectively enhances sperm quantity and quality in male patients with idiopathic infertility and low-normal FSH levels, demonstrating comparable efficacy across different FSH formulations. These findings underscore the clinical significance of FSH therapy as a promising treatment for idiopathic male factor infertility. Further research is necessary to assess its impact on pregnancy outcomes and to design personalized treatment protocols for optimized results.

Background: Infertility affects 15-25% of couples globally, with male factor contributing to approximately 40-50% of cases, a significant proportion of which are idiopathic. Treatment options for idiopathic male infertility remain limited and often yield inconclusive results, necessitating reliance on assisted reproductive technologies. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) therapy, well established for the treatment of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, is also empirically applied to idiopathic male infertility. In patients with low-normal FSH levels, this therapy is utilized with the rationale of overstimulating spermatogenesis to enhance sperm quality and quantity, ultimately aiming to improve pregnancy rates. Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy of FSH therapy in male partners of infertile couples with idiopathic oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia and plasma FSH levels < 8 IU/L. Specifically, it assesses the effects on seminal parameters – sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. Secondary objectives include quantifying the magnitude of these improvements, determining the clinical relevance of FSH therapy, and comparing the efficacy of different FSH formulations. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine of the University Hospital of Padua. Patients with idiopathic male infertility who underwent a standard FSH treatment protocol were included. Semen analyses were performed before and after treatment. Data were extracted from medical records. Results: FSH therapy significantly improved sperm quantity and quality. Total sperm count increased markedly (p < 0.001), as did the total number of motile sperm (p < 0.001). Combined progressive and non-progressive motility also showed significantly improvement (p = 0.032), alongside a reduction in immotile sperm (p = 0.025). No statistically significant changes were observed in semen volume, pH, and morphology. Additionally, no significant differences were detected among the three FSH formulations used (highly purified FSH, recombinant FSH α, and recombinant FSH β). Conclusions: FSH therapy effectively enhances sperm quantity and quality in male patients with idiopathic infertility and low-normal FSH levels, demonstrating comparable efficacy across different FSH formulations. These findings underscore the clinical significance of FSH therapy as a promising treatment for idiopathic male factor infertility. Further research is necessary to assess its impact on pregnancy outcomes and to design personalized treatment protocols for optimized results.

Effectiveness of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Therapy in Idiopathic Male Infertility

SCAFA, RAFFAELE
2022/2023

Abstract

Background: Infertility affects 15-25% of couples globally, with male factor contributing to approximately 40-50% of cases, a significant proportion of which are idiopathic. Treatment options for idiopathic male infertility remain limited and often yield inconclusive results, necessitating reliance on assisted reproductive technologies. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) therapy, well established for the treatment of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, is also empirically applied to idiopathic male infertility. In patients with low-normal FSH levels, this therapy is utilized with the rationale of overstimulating spermatogenesis to enhance sperm quality and quantity, ultimately aiming to improve pregnancy rates. Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy of FSH therapy in male partners of infertile couples with idiopathic oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia and plasma FSH levels < 8 IU/L. Specifically, it assesses the effects on seminal parameters – sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. Secondary objectives include quantifying the magnitude of these improvements, determining the clinical relevance of FSH therapy, and comparing the efficacy of different FSH formulations. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine of the University Hospital of Padua. Patients with idiopathic male infertility who underwent a standard FSH treatment protocol were included. Semen analyses were performed before and after treatment. Data were extracted from medical records. Results: FSH therapy significantly improved sperm quantity and quality. Total sperm count increased markedly (p < 0.001), as did the total number of motile sperm (p < 0.001). Combined progressive and non-progressive motility also showed significantly improvement (p = 0.032), alongside a reduction in immotile sperm (p = 0.025). No statistically significant changes were observed in semen volume, pH, and morphology. Additionally, no significant differences were detected among the three FSH formulations used (highly purified FSH, recombinant FSH α, and recombinant FSH β). Conclusions: FSH therapy effectively enhances sperm quantity and quality in male patients with idiopathic infertility and low-normal FSH levels, demonstrating comparable efficacy across different FSH formulations. These findings underscore the clinical significance of FSH therapy as a promising treatment for idiopathic male factor infertility. Further research is necessary to assess its impact on pregnancy outcomes and to design personalized treatment protocols for optimized results.
2022
Effectiveness of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Therapy in Idiopathic Male Infertility
Background: Infertility affects 15-25% of couples globally, with male factor contributing to approximately 40-50% of cases, a significant proportion of which are idiopathic. Treatment options for idiopathic male infertility remain limited and often yield inconclusive results, necessitating reliance on assisted reproductive technologies. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) therapy, well established for the treatment of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, is also empirically applied to idiopathic male infertility. In patients with low-normal FSH levels, this therapy is utilized with the rationale of overstimulating spermatogenesis to enhance sperm quality and quantity, ultimately aiming to improve pregnancy rates. Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy of FSH therapy in male partners of infertile couples with idiopathic oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia and plasma FSH levels < 8 IU/L. Specifically, it assesses the effects on seminal parameters – sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. Secondary objectives include quantifying the magnitude of these improvements, determining the clinical relevance of FSH therapy, and comparing the efficacy of different FSH formulations. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine of the University Hospital of Padua. Patients with idiopathic male infertility who underwent a standard FSH treatment protocol were included. Semen analyses were performed before and after treatment. Data were extracted from medical records. Results: FSH therapy significantly improved sperm quantity and quality. Total sperm count increased markedly (p < 0.001), as did the total number of motile sperm (p < 0.001). Combined progressive and non-progressive motility also showed significantly improvement (p = 0.032), alongside a reduction in immotile sperm (p = 0.025). No statistically significant changes were observed in semen volume, pH, and morphology. Additionally, no significant differences were detected among the three FSH formulations used (highly purified FSH, recombinant FSH α, and recombinant FSH β). Conclusions: FSH therapy effectively enhances sperm quantity and quality in male patients with idiopathic infertility and low-normal FSH levels, demonstrating comparable efficacy across different FSH formulations. These findings underscore the clinical significance of FSH therapy as a promising treatment for idiopathic male factor infertility. Further research is necessary to assess its impact on pregnancy outcomes and to design personalized treatment protocols for optimized results.
Male Infertility
FSH Therapy
Follicle-Stimulating
Idiopathic
Hormone Therapy
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/81455