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Bromocriptine for idiopathic oligo/asthenospermia.
P Vandekerckhove1, R Lilford, A Vail
1Institute of Epidemiology, University of Leeds, 34 Hyde Terrace, Leeds, Yorkshire, UK, LS2 9LN. patrickv@epid.leeds.ac.uk
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 5, 2000
Summary
Bromocriptine effectively lowers prolactin levels in men with subfertility and normal hormone function. However, current evidence does not support its use for improving sperm parameters or increasing pregnancy rates.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Male Infertility Research
- Clinical Trial Analysis
Background:
- Idiopathic oligo-astheno-teratospermia affects many couples seeking fertility treatment.
- Bromocriptine is used for hyperprolactinemia but also empirically for male infertility.
- Elevated prolactin may negatively impact spermatogenesis and gonadotropin function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of bromocriptine in improving pregnancy rates for couples with idiopathic male subfertility.
- To assess bromocriptine's impact on semen parameters in men with normal hormone levels.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving bromocriptine versus placebo.
- Searched the Cochrane Subfertility Review Group specialized register.
- Included crossover design trials assessing bromocriptine for male factor subfertility.
Main Results:
- Bromocriptine significantly reduced serum prolactin levels compared to placebo.
- No significant improvements were observed in sperm concentration, motility, or morphology.
- Bromocriptine did not demonstrate a significant effect on pregnancy rates.
Conclusions:
- Bromocriptine effectively lowers prolactin in subfertile men with normal gonadotropin levels.
- Insufficient evidence exists to confirm bromocriptine's benefit for male fertility improvement.
- Further research is needed to clarify bromocriptine's role in male infertility management.