Recombinant gonadotropin therapy to improve spermatogenesis in nonobstructive azoospermic patients - A proof of concept study

Abstract

Purpose: Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) associated with primary spermatogenic failure is a common cause of male infertility usually considered untreatable; however, some reports have suggested that hormonal stimulation to boost the intra-testicular testosterone level and spermatogenesis might increase the chance of achieving pregnancy using homologous sperm.

Materials and methods: We report a series of eight NOA males who received long-term treatment with recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin twice a week for spermatogenesis stimulation. Six males received additional recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) supplementation 150-225 IU twice weekly.

Results: After recombinant gonadotropin therapy, viable spermatozoa were retrieved from the ejaculate in two patients and by testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) in another two subjects. Singleton spermatozoon retrieved from testes were frozen by vitrification on Cell-Sleeper devices. Two live births were obtained after intracytoplasmic sperm injection with ejaculated spermatozoa and one live birth and an ongoing pregnancy using thawed spermatozoa from TESA.

Conclusion: Our proof-of-concept study indicates that hormonal therapy with recombinant gonadotropins could be considered in infertile men with NOA as an alternative to sperm donation. Large-scale studies are needed to substantiate hormone stimulation therapy with recombinant gonadotropins in routine clinical practice for this severe form of male infertility.

Keywords: Azoospermia, Nonobstructive [Supplementary Concept]; Infertility, Male; Spermatozoa.

Figure 1. Illustration depicting the hormonal treatment algorithm.