Evaluation of a serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone as a predictor of semen parameter improvement in men undergoing medical treatment for infertility

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.6846

Keywords:

17-hydroxyprogesterone, intratesticular testosterone, clomiphene citrate, human chorionic gonadotropin, semen analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of medical therapy for infertile men with testosterone deficiency (TD) is to improve intratesticular testosterone (ITT). There is a gap in knowledge to identify those who will respond with semen parameter(s) improvement. We hypothesized that serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) — a marker of ITT — can be used to predict improvement of semen parameter(s).

Methods: Between July 2018 and January 2020, we conducted a prospective study of 31 men with primary infertility, TD, and secondary hypogonadism receiving clomiphene citrate (CC) and/ or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for three months. We assessed baseline and followup hormones, including testosterone, 17-OHP, semen parameter(s), and demographics. Semen quality upgrading was based on assisted reproduction eligibility: in-vitro fertilization (<5 million), intrauterine insemination (IUI) (5–9 million), and natural pregnancy (>9 million). Variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U or Wilcoxon rank test.

Results: Twenty-one men received CC and 10 received CC/hCG. Median followup was 3.7 (3.3–5.1) months. Sixteen men upgraded semen quality. Six of 10 men with baseline total motile sperm count (TMSC) of 0 had motile sperm after treatment, and 11/20 men with TMSC <5 upgraded semen quality into TMSC >5 range. Low 17-OHP was the only factor that predicted semen quality upgrading. Men with 17-OHP ≤55 ng/dL upgraded semen quality and improved hormones, whereas men with 17-OHP >55 ng/dL did not upgrade semen quality.

Conclusions: Medical therapy for infertile men with TD resulted in the improvement of sperm concentration, TMSC, testosterone, and 17-OHP. Semen quality upgrading appears to be more significant in patients with low 17-OHP, suggesting that ITT can be used as a biomarker to predict semen parameter(s) improvement.

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Published

2020-12-15

How to Cite

Lima, T. F. N. ., Rakitina, E., Blachman-Braun, R., & Ramasamy, R. (2020). Evaluation of a serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone as a predictor of semen parameter improvement in men undergoing medical treatment for infertility. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 15(7), E340–5. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.6846

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Original Research