The use of r-hFSH in treatment of idiopathic male factor infertility before ICSI

A. Farrag, F. Sagnella, S. Pappalardo, A. Costantini, F. Lisi, P. Carfagna, C. Manna

Biofertility IVF Center, Rome, Italy. franco.lisi01@gmail.com

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• Endocrinology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of pre-treatment of idiopathic oligozoospermic patients with r-hFSH to improve the clinical results of ICSI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 82 infertile couples due to male factor who attended our center were included in the study. Thirty-six were randomized to the treatment group (group A) and forty-six to the control group (group B). The male partners in group A were treated with recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH; Gonal F®) 150 IU subcutaneously three times a week for a 3-months period. The control group (group B) did not receive any treatment. After the treatment couples of both groups underwent a cycle of ICSI.

RESULTS: The fertilization rate was comparable in both groups. However, in the treatment group (group A), the clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher (42%) compared to the control group (group B) (20%) (p < 0.02). Also, the implantation rate was significantly higher in treatment group (26%) compared to the control (15%) (p < 0.04). Miscarriage rate was lower (15.7%) in the treatment group than in the control (43.7%), and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of idiopathic male factor infertility with r-hFSH before ICSI improves clinical pregnancy rate, increases implantation rate and decreases the early pregnancy loss.

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