The effect of sympathomimetic drugs on post-lymphadenectomy aspermia

Abstract

A double-blind controlled study of the effects on semen quality of 4 alpha-adrenergic agents with and without antihistamines was conducted in a patient who had failure of emission secondary to retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for testis cancer. No other controlled studies are available. All of the alpha-adrenergic drugs allowed the patient to produce an ejaculate. The effects were similar. The addition of antihistamine did not improve the semen quality. Four days of treatment were consistently more effective than a single dose, especially for sperm motility. A pregnancy resulted. It is concluded that long-term treatment with alpha-adrenergic drugs is indicated in men with failure of emission secondary to retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy.