FROM ZERO TO ONE HUNDRED MILLION IN SIX MONTHS: THE TREATMENT OF AZOOSPERMIA IN CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA

• Published in: Archives of andrology Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 257 - 263
• Main Authors: NICOPOULLOS, J. D. M., RAMSAY, J. W. A., CASSAR, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Informa UK Ltd 01.07.2003; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital - complications; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital - drug therapy; Adult; Azoospermia; Biological and medical sciences; Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia; Dexamethasone - therapeutic use; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Humans; Infertility, Male - drug therapy; Infertility, Male - etiology; Male; Male-factor Infertility; Oligospermia - drug therapy; Oligospermia - etiology; Treatment Outcome; azoospermia; male-factor infertility; congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• ISSN: 0955-3002; 0148-5016; 1362-3095; 1521-0375
• DOI: 10.1080/01485010390204940

In the majority of the 25% of couples in which a male factor is responsible for their infertility, no identifiable pathology is found. It is unusual to be faced with an etiology that is readily amenable to successful treatment without the eventual dependence on assisted reproductive techniques for pregnancy. The diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia has variable implications on fertility. A case is presented of azoospermia in a man diagnosed with classical non-salt-losing congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Within 9 months of treatment with dexamethasone, his sperm count had risen to above 100 million per milliliter, enough to overcome very poor morphology and a naturally conceived pregnancy ensued. The pregnancy is ongoing. Although an increase in sperm count has been shown in such cases, the degree of improvement in semen parameters is unique, especially in an azoospermic patient.