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International Urology and Nephrology
Published in: International Urology and Nephrology 2/2011

01-06-2011 | Urology – Original Paper

Effect of pentoxifylline on semen parameters, reproductive hormones, and seminal plasma antioxidant capacity in men with idiopathic infertility: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

Author: Mohammad Reza Safarinejad

Published in: International Urology and Nephrology | Issue 2/2011

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Abstract

Objective

To determine the safety and efficacy of oral pentoxifylline (PTX) administration in improving semen parameters in infertile men with idiopathic OAT.

Patients and methods

The study included 254 infertile men who underwent double-blind therapy with 400 mg PTX (Apotex Inc., Toronto, Canada) twice daily (group 1, n = 127), or similar regimen of placebo (group 2, n = 127). The study consisted of a 4-week screening phase, a 24-week treatment phase, and a 12-week treatment-free period. The effects of treatment on semen parameters, serum hormones including testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and inhibin B, seminal plasma catalase-like and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity, and acrosome reaction test were evaluated.

Results

A significant increase in sperm concentration (mean value, 26.4 ± 4.6 × 106/ml vs. 16.2 ± 3.4 × 106/ml), sperm motility (mean value, 35.8 ± 4.2% vs. 26.4 ± 2.4%), and sperm with normal morphology (mean value, 25.4 ± 4.3% vs. 17.4 ± 4.2%) was observed after PTX administration when compared with baseline (all P = 0.001); in contrast, a subtle decreased values were observed after placebo (median values, 16.4 ± 4.1 × 106/ml vs. 16.7 ± 3.6 × 106/ml, P = 0.1; 25.7 ± 3.6% vs. 26.8 ± 2.5%, P = 0.08; and 16.9 ± 4.1% vs. 17.6 ± 4.4%, P = 0.08, respectively). Mean SOD-like and catalase-like activity in the semen of PTX group was significantly greater than in the semen of placebo group (46.4 ± 2.4 vs. 36.3 ± 1.3 U/ml and 371 ± 44 vs. 301 ± 14 U/ml, respectively, both P = 0.003). The acrosome reaction was observed to be increased in PTX group (P = 0.01). Levels of reproductive hormones were also affected.

Conclusions

PTX administration significantly improves semen parameters in infertile men with idiopathic OAT.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of pentoxifylline on semen parameters, reproductive hormones, and seminal plasma antioxidant capacity in men with idiopathic infertility: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study
Author
Mohammad Reza Safarinejad
Publication date
01-06-2011
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
International Urology and Nephrology / Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 0301-1623
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2584
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-010-9826-4

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