Gonadotrophins for idiopathic male factor subfertility

Male factor infertility accounts for 50% of all infertility. The treatment of idiopathic male infertility is empirical. Urinary, purified, and recombinant gonadotrophins have been used to improve sperm parameters in idiopathic male infertility with the goal of increasing pregnancy rates. Research addressing pregnancy rates in partners of men treated with gonadotrophins has had conflicting results and needs to be analysed.

To determine the effectiveness of gonadotrophin administration in men with idiopathic subfertility in improving spontaneous pregnancy rate and in assisted reproductive technique cycles.

We searched the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group trials register (31 May 2007), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, issue 2, 2007), MEDLINE (1966 to May 2007), EMBASE and Biological Abstracts (1980 to Week 21 2007). Searches were not limited by language. The bibliographies of included, excluded trials and abstracts of major meetings were searched for additional trials. Authors and pharmaceutical companies were contacted for missing and unpublished data.

Truly randomised controlled trials where gonadotrophins were administered for the treatment of idiopathic male subfertility with reporting of pregnancy rates were included in the review.

Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for additional information. Adverse effects information was collected from the trials. We analysed data regarding pregnancy occurring within three months after gonadotrophin therapy.

Four RCTs with 278 participants were included in the analysis. None of the studies had an adequate sample size and they had variable follow-up periods. None of the studies reported live birth or miscarriage rates. Compared to placebo or no treatment, gonadotrophins showed a significantly higher pregnancy rate per couple randomized within three months of completing therapy ( OR 4.17, 95% CI 1.30 to 7.09).

The number of trials and participants is insufficient to draw final conclusions. A large multicenter study with adequate power is needed.