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Sperm motion parameters after suppression of spermatogenesis with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist plus
M C Bastias1, H Kamijo, S N Pavlou
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2515.
Objective:
To evaluate whether the chronic administration of a GnRH antagonist supplemented with T enanthate affects sperm motion parameters.
Design:
Prospective study.
Setting:
Academic medical research environment.
Patients/Participants:
Six normospermic men of reproductive age.
Intervention:
A 20-week treatment included the administration of 10 mg of GnRH antagonist every day and 25 mg of T enanthate once a week.
Main Outcome Measure:
Computerized sperm motion analysis on each participant every 2 weeks for a period of 11 months.
Results:
Sperm concentration decreased after 4 weeks of the GnRH antagonist administration, accompanied by a reduction of sperm motility from an initial mean value of 56% to 34% on treatment week 4 and 21% on treatment week 6. In contrast, sperm velocity, linearity, amplitude of the lateral head displacement, and beat cross-frequency values did not significantly change in spite of reduced overall sperm concentration and motility. Azoospermia was reached within 6 to 12 weeks of the GnRH administration, and it was sustained during the treatment period. During recovery of spermatogenesis, sperm movement parameters returned to initial values earlier than sperm concentration and normal morphology. All participants recovered initial semen parameters 20 weeks after the end of treatment.
Conclusion:
The administration of a GnRH antagonist supplemented with T enanthate successfully induced reversible suppression of spermatogenesis. The sperm motion characteristics appeared to be the last parameters to decline and the first to return to initial values after the treatment.
Insights
Chronic administration of GnRH antagonist with testosterone enanthate suppressed sperm production reversibly. Sperm motion parameters were the last to decline and first to recover, indicating their sensitivity during spermatogenesis suppression and recovery.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Spermatogenesis Research
- Male Contraception
Background:
- Hormonal regulation of spermatogenesis is complex.
- GnRH antagonists offer a potential pathway for male contraception.
- Testosterone supplementation is often required to mitigate side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of a GnRH antagonist combined with testosterone enanthate on sperm motion parameters.
- To assess the reversibility of spermatogenesis suppression.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study in an academic medical setting.
- Six normospermic men received daily GnRH antagonist and weekly testosterone enanthate for 20 weeks.
- Computerized sperm motion analysis was performed every 2 weeks for 11 months.
Main Results:
- Sperm concentration and motility significantly decreased, reaching azoospermia within 6-12 weeks.
- Sperm velocity, linearity, and other motion characteristics remained largely unchanged.
- Sperm motion parameters recovered faster than concentration and morphology during the 20-week post-treatment period.
Conclusions:
- GnRH antagonist with testosterone enanthate effectively induces reversible azoospermia.
- Sperm motion parameters are sensitive indicators, declining late and recovering early during treatment and recovery phases.
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