Effects of the selective estrogen receptor modulators for the treatment of male infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Background: Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) represent a poorly investigated class of drugs for the treatment of male infertility. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of SERMs on conventional sperm parameters, serum gonadotropin and testosterone levels, and pregnancy rate in patients with idiopathic infertility. Methods: The authors performed a comprehensive systematic review with meta-analysis of all available controlled and not-controlled studies of the literature reporting sperm conventional parameters, gonadotropin and testosterone levels, and/or the pregnancy rate following SERM administration in normogonadotropic patients with idiopathic oligozoospermia. Results: From the 418 papers retrieved, 16 controlled and not-controlled trials were lastly included. SERM administration increased significantly sperm concentration, total sperm count, and serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and total testosterone levels compared with baseline values. In contrast, SERMs did not have any significant effect on sperm concentration and progressive and total motility, but improved total sperm count, sperm morphology, and increased the pregnancy rate compared to the control group, which included studies done with placebo or other treatments. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that SERMs may be effective in the treatment of infertile patients with idiopathic infertility. However, the paucity of data does not allow to draw a definitive conclusion.

• Authors: Rossella Cannarella, Rosita A Condorelli, Laura M Mongioì, Federica Barbagallo, Aldo E Calogero, Sandro La Vignera
• Journal: Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy (Expert Opin Pharmacother) Vol. 20 Issue 12 Pg. 1517-1525 (Aug 2019) ISSN: 1744-7666 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 31120775 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review)

Chemical References

• Estrogen Antagonists
• Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
• Testosterone
• Luteinizing Hormone
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Topics

• Estrogen Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (blood)
• Humans
• Infertility, Male (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Luteinizing Hormone (blood)
• Male
• Oligospermia (drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Rate
• Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Sperm Count
• Testosterone (blood)
• Treatment Outcome