Baseline FSH Predicts Semen Parameter Response in Infertile Men on Clomiphene Citrate

Background: Clomiphene citrate (CC) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that increases gonadotropin production and may improve spermatogenesis. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of CC on hormone levels and spermatogenesis in men treated for infertility, and to determine whet...

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Main Authors: Ryan Smith, Jake Fantus, Ella J. Doerge, Larry Lipshultz, Jason R. Kovac, Robert Coward
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MRE Press 2017-01-01
Series:Journal of Men's Health
Online Access:http://jomh.org/index.php/JMH/article/view/14
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author Ryan Smith
Jake Fantus
Ella J. Doerge
Larry Lipshultz
Jason R. Kovac
Robert Coward
author_facet Ryan Smith
Jake Fantus
Ella J. Doerge
Larry Lipshultz
Jason R. Kovac
Robert Coward
author_sort Ryan Smith
collection DOAJ
description Background: Clomiphene citrate (CC) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that increases gonadotropin production and may improve spermatogenesis. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of CC on hormone levels and spermatogenesis in men treated for infertility, and to determine whether it is possible to predict positive treatment outcomes, in terms of hormonal or spermatogenic response to CC prior to treatment. Methods: The cases of 90 men, who were prescribed CC for infertility, were retrospectively reviewed. Serum values for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol (E) as well as complete semen analyses were collected before and after CC. Exclusion criteria included azoospermia and men treated with testosterone, human chorionic gonadotropin, or recombinant FSH during the previous 6 months. Results: Forty-two men (46.7%) with a mean age of 35±6years met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Serum hormone values significantly (p<0.01) increased for FSH (_3.4 mIU/ mL), LH (_2.7 mIU/mL), TT (_250.0 ng/dL), FT (_5.2 ng/dL), SHBG (_5.2nmoI/L) and E (_1.9 ng/dL). Patients with a baseline FSH of _2 mIU/mL had no change in sperm density (_-13.1±32.0 million/mL) or total motile count (_-20.6 ± 45.5 million). Men with an initial FSH>2 (n=32) had a mean change in density of +1.68±7.46 million/mL and demonstrated significant improvement in total motile sperm (_+3.4±13.96 million). There were no significant differences between the serum hormone levels in men with baseline FSH levels of _2 or >2 mIU/mL. Conclusions: Infertile men exhibit significant increases in serum hormone levels with CC. Those with FSH >2 mIU/mL had improved sperm density and motility relative to men with FSH _2mIU/mL. FSH prior to initiating CC therapy may be a useful predictor of improvement in semen parameters.
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spelling doaj.art-c577c080a8944d18871f863258e487c02024-02-03T09:47:03ZengMRE PressJournal of Men's Health1875-68592017-01-01115Baseline FSH Predicts Semen Parameter Response in Infertile Men on Clomiphene CitrateRyan SmithJake FantusElla J. DoergeLarry LipshultzJason R. KovacRobert CowardBackground: Clomiphene citrate (CC) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that increases gonadotropin production and may improve spermatogenesis. The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of CC on hormone levels and spermatogenesis in men treated for infertility, and to determine whether it is possible to predict positive treatment outcomes, in terms of hormonal or spermatogenic response to CC prior to treatment. Methods: The cases of 90 men, who were prescribed CC for infertility, were retrospectively reviewed. Serum values for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), estradiol (E) as well as complete semen analyses were collected before and after CC. Exclusion criteria included azoospermia and men treated with testosterone, human chorionic gonadotropin, or recombinant FSH during the previous 6 months. Results: Forty-two men (46.7%) with a mean age of 35±6years met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Serum hormone values significantly (p<0.01) increased for FSH (_3.4 mIU/ mL), LH (_2.7 mIU/mL), TT (_250.0 ng/dL), FT (_5.2 ng/dL), SHBG (_5.2nmoI/L) and E (_1.9 ng/dL). Patients with a baseline FSH of _2 mIU/mL had no change in sperm density (_-13.1±32.0 million/mL) or total motile count (_-20.6 ± 45.5 million). Men with an initial FSH>2 (n=32) had a mean change in density of +1.68±7.46 million/mL and demonstrated significant improvement in total motile sperm (_+3.4±13.96 million). There were no significant differences between the serum hormone levels in men with baseline FSH levels of _2 or >2 mIU/mL. Conclusions: Infertile men exhibit significant increases in serum hormone levels with CC. Those with FSH >2 mIU/mL had improved sperm density and motility relative to men with FSH _2mIU/mL. FSH prior to initiating CC therapy may be a useful predictor of improvement in semen parameters.http://jomh.org/index.php/JMH/article/view/14
spellingShingle Ryan Smith
Jake Fantus
Ella J. Doerge
Larry Lipshultz
Jason R. Kovac
Robert Coward
Baseline FSH Predicts Semen Parameter Response in Infertile Men on Clomiphene Citrate
Journal of Men's Health
title Baseline FSH Predicts Semen Parameter Response in Infertile Men on Clomiphene Citrate
title_full Baseline FSH Predicts Semen Parameter Response in Infertile Men on Clomiphene Citrate
title_fullStr Baseline FSH Predicts Semen Parameter Response in Infertile Men on Clomiphene Citrate
title_full_unstemmed Baseline FSH Predicts Semen Parameter Response in Infertile Men on Clomiphene Citrate
title_short Baseline FSH Predicts Semen Parameter Response in Infertile Men on Clomiphene Citrate
title_sort baseline fsh predicts semen parameter response in infertile men on clomiphene citrate
url http://jomh.org/index.php/JMH/article/view/14
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