OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 2.5 mg letrozole with those of 1 mg anastrazole daily on the hormonal and semen profiles of a subset of infertile men with low T/E2 ratios.
DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized study.
SETTING: Reproductive medicine clinic.
PATIENT(S): The study group consisted of 29 infertile men with a low serum T/E2 ratio (< 10).
INTERVENTION(S): Patients were divided into two groups. Group A included 15 patients treated with 2.5 mg letrozole orally once daily for 6 months, and Group B consisted of 14 patients treated with 1 mg anastrazole orally every day for 6 months.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Hormonal evaluation included measurement of serum FSH, LH, PRL, T, and E2. In all sperm analyses pretreatment and posttreatment total motile sperm counts (ejaculate volume × concentration × motile fraction) were evaluated.
RESULT(S): The use of aromatase inhibitors (either letrozole or anastrazole) in cases of infertile men with low T/E2 ratios improved both hormonal and semen parameters.
CONCLUSION(S): This study suggests that some men with severe oligospermia, low T levels, and normal gonadotropin concentration may have a treatable endocrinopathy.
Written by:
Gregoriou O, Bakas P, Grigoriadis C, Creatsa M, Hassiakos D, Creatsas G. Are you the author?
2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Reference: Fertil Steril. 2012 Jul;98(1):48-51.
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.04.005
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22579129
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