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Asian Journal of Andrology (2012) 14, 57-60; doi:10.1038/aja.2011.63; published online 19 December 2011
Medical therapy for spermatogenic failure
Ranjith Ramasamy, Peter J Stahl and Peter N Schlegel
Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
Correspondence: Dr PN Schlegel, (pnschleg@med.cornell.edu)
Received 28 June 2011; Revised 5 September 2011; Accepted 8 November 2011; Published online 19 December 2011.
| Abstract |
Medical treatment of men with primary spermatogenic failure remains largely ineffective in contrast to those with secondary testicular failure. Treatment has been attempted with a multitude of agents ranging from hormones to nutritional supplements (antioxidants). While some studies have demonstrated benefit to some treatments, no treatments have consistently demonstrated efficacy nor has it been possible to reliably identify patients likely to benefit. Idiopathic spermatogenic failure likely results from multiple discrete defects in sperm production that are as yet unidentified. A better understanding of these defects will yield more effective treatment options and appropriate triage of patients to specific therapeutic regimens. This review focuses on the rationale and current evidence for hormonal and antioxidant therapy in medical treatment of male infertility, spermatogenic failure in particular. Although empiric medical therapy for spermatogenic failure has been largely replaced by assisted reproductive techniques, both treatment modalities could play a role, perhaps as combination therapy.
Keywords: antioxidant; hormones; male infertility; sperm; spermatogenesis; spermatogenic failure; testicular failure |
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