Erschienen in:
01.04.2013 | Gamete Biology
Lower sperm DNA fragmentation after r-FSH administration in functional hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
verfasst von:
Giovanni Ruvolo, Maria Carmela Roccheri, Anna Maria Brucculeri, Salvatore Longobardi, Ettore Cittadini, Liana Bosco
Erschienen in:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
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Ausgabe 4/2013
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Abstract
Purpose
An observational clinical and molecular study was designed to evaluate the effects of the administration of recombinant human FSH on sperm DNA fragmentation in men with a non-classical form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
Methods
In the study were included 53 men with a non-classical form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. In all patients, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) in situ DNA nick end-labelling (TUNEL) assay, was evaluated before starting the treatment with 150 IU of recombinant human FSH, given three times a week for at least 3 months. Patients’ semen analysis and DNA fragmentation index were re-evaluated after the 3-month treatment period.
Results
After recombinant human FSH therapy, we did not find any differences in terms of sperm count, motility and morphology. The average DNA fragmentation index was significantly reduced (21.15 vs 15.2, p < 0.05), but we found a significant reduction in patients with high basal DFI values (>15 %), while no significant variation occurred in the patients with DFI values ≤15 %.
Conclusions
Recombinant human FSH administration improves sperm DNA integrity in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia men with DNA fragmentation index value >15 % .