[Tamoxifen treatment of oligospermia. Mechanism of action and metabolism]

Abstract

210 males with idiopathic oligozoospermia or oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia were treated with tamoxifen (2 X 10 resp. 2 X 20 mg daily) over a period of five months. Investigations which were performed concomitantly revealed no significant changes in body weight, blood pressure, blood sedimentation rate, red and white blood count including the number of thrombocytes. In the multi-analysis of serum we found significant differences within the normal range concerning the following parameters: creatinine, albumin, cholesterol, phosphorus, sodium, calcium, alkaline phosphatase, LAP and gamma-GT. Most of those changes in serum values could be explained by an anabolic metabolism due to an increased testosterone level and by additional stress of the liver function. On 41 of those patients an ultrasonography of the testes was performed; in more than 50% the testicular volume increased during therapy with tamoxifen.