Treatment of idiopathic oligozoospermia with an alpha-blocker: a placebo-controlled double-blind trial.

Author(s): Gregoriou O, Vitoratos N, Papadias C, Gargaropoulos A, Konidaris S, Giannopoulos V, Chryssicopoulos A

Affiliation(s): Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Areteion Hospital, Greece.

Publication date & source: 1997-09, Int J Fertil Womens Med., 42(5):301-5.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of terazosin, an alpha-blocker, for the treatment of idiopathic oligozoospermia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty couples with infertility whose only detectable abnormality was male idiopathic subfertility entered the study. The diagnosis of idiopathic subfertility in all males studied, aged 26 to 38 years (mean 28.2 years), was confirmed after exclusion of any iatrogenic, systemic, congenital, infectious, autoimmune or endocrinological cause. In order to start with a baseline value before the study, at least three semen samples were evaluated in accordance with the WHO recommendation. Before initiation of treatment, blood samples were drawn for measurement of FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, dihydrotestosterone, and estradiol. Fifteen randomly selected patients (Group A) received 2 mg/d of alpha-blocker (terazosin), while another 15 (Group B) were administered an identically packed placebo tablet. Both groups received therapy for 6 months. RESULTS: The mean seminal volume changed insignificantly between the two groups (4.15 +/- 1.95 vs. 4.10 +/- 1.95). There was a statistically significant increase of the sperm concentration in patients who received the alpha-blocker compared to those receiving placebo (24.76 +/- 9.45 vs. 13.15 +/- 11.55 millions/mL; P < .001). No improvement of the mean percentage of abnormal spermatozoa was observed in the treated patients, nor a statistically significant difference of sperm motility in the treated group compared to the placebo group. Side effects were not observed in the patients receiving terazosin treatment, or were so minimal that therapy was continued. The pregnancy rates did not differ between the two groups to a statistically significant degree. CONCLUSION: The administration of terazosin to patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia has a demonstrably positive effect, especially on sperm concentration.