About 15% of couples do not achieve pregnancy within 1 year. In 30-40% of cases, no male infertility associated factor is found (idiopathic male infertility). A variety of empirical treatments such as androgens, hCG/human menopausal gonadotropin, bromoc-riptine, alpha-blockers, systemic corticosteroids, aromatase inhi-bitors, and antioxidants have been used in an attempt to impro-ve semen characteristics and fertility in patients with idiopathic male infertility. Clomiphene citrate has been empirically used in cases of idiopathic oligospermia. Clomiphene increases endogeno-us gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion from the hypothala-mus and gonadotropin hormone secretion directly from the pitui-tary and, thus, increases intratesticular testosterone concentration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of clomiphene citrate on semen parameters and pregnancy rates in the treatment of idio-pathic male infertility.
Material and Methods: Between January 2004 and October 2008 a total of 41 male with the diagnosed of idiopathic male in-fertility were included to this study. All cases were evaluated with physical examination, detailed medical history, semen analysis and routine hematologic and biochemical analysis. In addition hormo-nal parameters were evaluated. Clomiphene citrate (CC) orally was given to 41 men with idiopathic oligospermia at a daily dose of 50 mg. After treatment semen analysis were done and pregnancy was evaluaeted.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 25.5±2.4 years. Sperm concentration increased in only 3.5% of the patients after CC tre-atment. Sperm motility remained unchanged. Only one spontane-ous pregnancy occurred in the partners of the subjects treated with 50 mg CC/day. Clomiphene citrate therapy was not associated with a significant increase in total sperm count and in sperm motility.
Conclusion: It was seen that clomiphene citrate which is frequ-ently used in the treatment of idiopathic male infertility had no sig nificant effect on seminal parameters and pregnancy rates. Accor-ding to this finding it can be thought that in the treatment of male infertility other than clomiphene citrate different treatment regi-mens should be preferred as a first line treatment protocol.
Key Words: İdiopathic infertility, male, clomiphene citrate, se-men, pregnancy
Abstract
About 15% of couples do not achieve pregnancy within 1 year. In 30-40% of cases, no male infertility associated factor is found (idiopathic male infertility). A variety of empirical treatments such as androgens, hCG/human menopausal gonadotropin, bromoc-riptine, alpha-blockers, systemic corticosteroids, aromatase inhi-bitors, and antioxidants have been used in an attempt to impro-ve semen characteristics and fertility in patients with idiopathic male infertility. Clomiphene citrate has been empirically used in cases of idiopathic oligospermia. Clomiphene increases endogeno-us gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion from the hypothala-mus and gonadotropin hormone secretion directly from the pitui-tary and, thus, increases intratesticular testosterone concentration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of clomiphene citrate on semen parameters and pregnancy rates in the treatment of idio-pathic male infertility.
Material and Methods: Between January 2004 and October 2008 a total of 41 male with the diagnosed of idiopathic male in-fertility were included to this study. All cases were evaluated with physical examination, detailed medical history, semen analysis and routine hematologic and biochemical analysis. In addition hormo-nal parameters were evaluated. Clomiphene citrate (CC) orally was given to 41 men with idiopathic oligospermia at a daily dose of 50 mg. After treatment semen analysis were done and pregnancy was evaluaeted.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 25.5±2.4 years. Sperm concentration increased in only 3.5% of the patients after CC tre-atment. Sperm motility remained unchanged. Only one spontane-ous pregnancy occurred in the partners of the subjects treated with 50 mg CC/day. Clomiphene citrate therapy was not associated with a significant increase in total sperm count and in sperm motility.
Conclusion: It was seen that clomiphene citrate which is frequ-ently used in the treatment of idiopathic male infertility had no sig nificant effect on seminal parameters and pregnancy rates. Accor-ding to this finding it can be thought that in the treatment of male infertility other than clomiphene citrate different treatment regi-mens should be preferred as a first line treatment protocol.
Key Words: İdiopathic infertility, male, clomiphene citrate, se-men, pregnancy