Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2007-7-19
pubmed:abstractText
Oligo-astheno-teratospermia (sperm of low concentration, reduced motility and increased abnormal morphology) of unknown cause is common and the need for treatment is felt by patients and doctors alike. As a result, a variety of empirical, non-specific treatments have been used in an attempt to improve semen characteristics and fertility. Androgens have been suggested as a treatment because its binding proteins maintain a maintain a high intratesticular level testosterone essential for spermatogenesis and because the epididymis and seminal vesicles affect the seminal constitution and sperm motility and are also androgen-dependent. However exogenous testosterone was found to exert negative feedback on the pituitary-gonadal axis and thereby to suppress FSH and LH secretion. Spermatogenesis was thus adversely affected. Nevertheless androgens are used for the treatment of male infertility either for a putative direct "stimulatory" or "rebound" therapy. The stimulatory androgens used are mesterolone and testosterone undecanoate which, it is postulated, in a form and dosage that does not influence pituitary gonadotrophin secretion, either have a direct stimulatory effect on spermatogenesis or influence sperm transport and maturation though an effect on the epididymis, ductus deferens and seminal vesicles. Other androgens have been used to produce a rebound effect. These androgens are administered to suppress gonadotrophin secretion and spermatogenesis. After androgen therapy is discontinued there is a surge of FSH and LH and spermatogenesis is recommenced. Because of their different proposed mechanisms of action, stimulatory and rebound androgen therapy are analysed separately in the comparisons. This review considers the available evidence of the effect of androgens for idiopathic oligo and/or asthenospermia.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:issn
1469-493X
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
CD000150
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-3
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1996
pubmed:articleTitle
WITHDRAWN: Androgens versus placebo or no treatment for idiopathic oligo/asthenospermia.
pubmed:affiliation
St Mary's Hospital, IOW Healthcare NHS Trust, Parkhurst Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, UK, PO30 5TG. Patrick.Vandekerckhove@iow.nhs.uk
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Review