Journal of Andrology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Clark, R. V.
Right arrow Articles by Sherins, R. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Clark, R. V.
Right arrow Articles by Sherins, R. J.

Journal of Andrology, Vol 10, Issue 3 240-247, Copyright © 1989 by The American Society of Andrology

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Treatment of men with idiopathic oligozoospermic infertility using the aromatase inhibitor, testolactone. Results of a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with crossover

R. V. Clark and R. J. Sherins
Section of Internal Medicine, Emory University Clinic, Atlanta, Georgia 30322.

The hypothesis that increased estradiol production may be the cause of impaired spermatogenesis in infertile men with idiopathic oligozoospermia was tested by administering the aromatase inhibitor, testolactone, and by assessing its effects on sperm output and fertility. Our study was a randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind crossover trial. Subjects (n = 25) with infertility due to unexplained oligozoospermia were given testolactone (2 g/day) or placebo for 8 months followed by crossover to the other treatment for an additional 8 months. Total estradiol and testosterone levels during testolactone exposure did not change from basal and placebo values. However, sex hormone-binding globulin binding capacity consistently decreased (30%, p less than 0.01) and free testosterone levels increased (36%, p less than 0.01). Free estradiol values increased but not significantly. Additionally, LH and FSH serum levels increased by 15% and 20%, respectively (p less than 0.05), and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone values increased by 90% (p less than 0.05) during drug administration. Sperm output and semen quality remained unchanged during either testolactone or placebo treatment, and no pregnancies occurred during the 16-month study. These data suggest that chronic administration of testolactone at this dose fails to maintain aromatase inhibition despite depression of 17,20-desmolase activity with elevated 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and depressed SHBG binding capacity with elevation of free testosterone. Testolactone is not efficacious in the treatment of idiopathic oligozoospermic infertility.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
J. K. Amory, C. Wang, R. S. Swerdloff, B. D. Anawalt, A. M. Matsumoto, W. J. Bremner, S. E. Walker, L. J. Haberer, and R. V. Clark
The Effect of 5{alpha}-Reductase Inhibition with Dutasteride and Finasteride on Semen Parameters and Serum Hormones in Healthy Men
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2007; 92(5): 1659 - 1665.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
D. J. Handelsman
The Rationale for Banning Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Estrogen Blockers in Sport
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2006; 91(5): 1646 - 1653.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 NEJMHome page
S. S. Howards
Treatment of Male Infertility
N. Engl. J. Med., February 2, 1995; 332(5): 312 - 317.
[Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1989 by The American Society of Andrology.