hCG-Treatment Alone is Unsufficient for Restitution of Spermatogenesis in a State with Arrest at the Spermatogonial Level

Abstract

In an infertile man with azoo-spermia and arrest at the spermatogonial stage, hCG treatment alone improved the spermatogenesis but not beyond the primary spermatocyte stage. During hCG treatment steroid conversion in vitro in testicular biopsy material, as well as serum testosterone concentrations increased dramatically. When hMG treatment was added, spermatogenesis was complete. Combined hCG/hMG treatment seems to be an efficient therapy in well-selected infertile men, whereas increased testosterone production induced by hCG-treatment may be insufficient for restitution of spermatogenesis.

Keywords:

• gonadotrophic treatment
• testosterone treatment
• testicular morphology
• spermatogenesis
• steroid conversion