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Spaggiari G, Costantino F, Dalla Valentina L, Romeo M, Furini C, Roli L, De Santis MC, Canu G, Trenti T, Granata ARM, Simoni M, Santi D. Are they functional hypogonadal men? Testosterone serum levels unravel male idiopathic infertility subgroups. Endocrine 2024; 84:757-767. [PMID: 38372906 PMCID: PMC11076374 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-024-03717-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate total testosterone distribution in male idiopathic infertility. METHODS A retrospective, real-world case-control clinical study was conducted. Cases consisted of men evaluated for couple infertility, specifically those with alterations in semen parameters and normal gonadotropin levels, and after excluding all known causes of male infertility. Controls were male subjects who underwent semen analysis for screening purposes, without any abnormality detected. The total testosterone distribution was evaluated in cases and controls. Further analyses were performed subgrouping cases according to total testosterone reference threshold suggested by scientific societies (i.e., 3.5 ng/mL). RESULTS Cases included 214 idiopathic infertile men (mean age 38.2 ± 6.2 years) and controls 224 subjects with normozoospermia (mean age 33.7 ± 7.5 years). Total testosterone was not-normally distributed in both cases and controls, with positive asymmetric distribution slightly shifted on the left in cases. The rate of subjects with testosterone lower than 3.5 ng/mL was higher in cases (23.8%) than controls (4.5%) (p < 0.001). In cases with testosterone lower than 3.5 ng/mL, a significant direct correlation between testosterone and the percentage of normal morphology sperms was highlighted, also applying multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis (R = 0.430, standard error = 0.3, p = 0.020). CONCLUSION Although idiopathic infertile men show by definition altered semen analysis and gonadotropins within reference ranges, testosterone serum levels are widely variable in this population. Approximately a quarter of these patients present some sort of functional hypogonadism. Our data support the need to better classify idiopathic male infertility and total testosterone serum levels could be a supportive parameter in tracing the patient's therapeutic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Spaggiari
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
- Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco Costantino
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Leonardo Dalla Valentina
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marilina Romeo
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Chiara Furini
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Roli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Azienda USL of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Canu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Azienda USL of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Tommaso Trenti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Azienda USL of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio R M Granata
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
- Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Santi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy.
- Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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Santi D, Spaggiari G, Dalla Valentina L, Romeo M, Nuzzo F, Serlenga L, Roli L, De Santis MC, Trenti T, Granata ARM, Simoni M. Sperm Concentration Improvement May Be a Parameter Predicting Efficacy of FSH Therapy of Male Idiopathic Infertility. Cells 2023; 12:2236. [PMID: 37759459 PMCID: PMC10527800 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Testis stimulation with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is one of the empirical treatments proposed for male idiopathic infertility, although reliable markers to predict its efficacy are still lacking. This study aimed to identify parameters able to predict FSH efficacy in terms of pregnancy achievement. A real-world study was conducted, enrolling idiopathic infertile men treated with FSH 150IU three times weekly. Patients were treated until pregnancy achievement or for a maximum of two years and two visits were considered: V0 (baseline) and V1 (end of FSH treatment). Primary endpoints were the V1-V0 percentage change in sperm concentration, total sperm count, and total motile sperm number. In total, 48 pregnancies were recorded (27.7%) among 173 men (age 37.9 ± 6.2 years). All three endpoints increased after FSH administration, and only the V1-V0 percentage of sperm concentration significantly predicted pregnancy (p = 0.007). A V1-V0 sperm concentration of 30.8% predicted pregnancy, and the sperm concentration V1-V0 percentage (Y) required to obtain a pregnancy was predicted according to its baseline values (x): Y = 9.8433x2 - 203.67x + 958.29. A higher number of pregnancies was reached in men with baseline sperm concentration below 7.3 million/mL. Thus, the percentage of sperm concentration increasing after FSH administration could predict the treatment efficacy in terms of pregnancy. At the dosage used, the efficacy was significantly higher in patients with a starting sperm concentration < 7.3 mill/mL. Mathematical analyses identified a function able to predict the sperm concentration increase required to obtain a pregnancy in relation to the baseline sperm number.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Santi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41122 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - Giorgia Spaggiari
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - Leonardo Dalla Valentina
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41122 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - Marilina Romeo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41122 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - Federico Nuzzo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | | | - Laura Roli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Azienda USL of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso Trenti
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Azienda USL of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio R. M. Granata
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41122 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
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Romeo M, Spaggiari G, Nuzzo F, Granata ARM, Simoni M, Santi D. Follicle-stimulating hormone effectiveness in male idiopathic infertility: What happens in daily practice? Andrology 2023; 11:478-488. [PMID: 36424882 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) administration in male idiopathic infertility in a clinical setting. METHODS A retrospective real-world study was carried out, including all consecutive FSH-treated infertile men attending the Andrology Unit of Modena (Italy) from June 2015 to May 2022. Medical history, physical and andrological examinations, hormonal and seminal parameters, therapeutic management and pregnancy data were collected. The primary endpoint was the number of pregnancies obtained after FSH administration, whereas semen parameters change was the secondary outcome. RESULTS A total of 194 of 362 (53.6%) infertile men, eligible according to the Italian Health System regulations, were treated with FSH (mean age 37.9 ± 6.1 years). Following FSH administration (mean therapy duration 9.1 ± 7.1 months), 43 pregnancies were recorded (27.6%), of which 22 occurred naturally and 21 after assisted reproduction. A significant increase in sperm concentration (9.9 ± 12.2 vs. 18.9 ± 38.9 million/mL, p = 0.045) was detected after treatment, together with a significant increase in normozoospermia (from 1.0% to 5.1%, p = .044) and a reduction in azoospermia rate (from 9.8% to 7%, p = 0.044). Dividing the cohort in FSH-responders and non-responders, in terms of pregnancy achieved, higher sperm concentrations (15.7 ± 26.6 vs. 22.2 ± 25.7 million/mL, p = 0.033) and progressive sperm motility (18.0 ± 18.2 vs. 27.3 ± 11.3, p = 0.044) were found in pregnancy group. CONCLUSION Our experience suggests that FSH, empirically administered to men with idiopathic infertility, leads to pregnancy in one out of four patients and increases sperm concentration. Although the expected limits because of a real-world data study, the number of FSH-treated patients required to achieve one pregnancy seems to be lower in clinical setting if compared to previously published data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilina Romeo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Giorgia Spaggiari
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy.,Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Federico Nuzzo
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio R M Granata
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy.,Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy.,Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniele Santi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy.,Unit of Andrology and Sexual Medicine of the Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero - Universitaria of Modena, Modena, Italy
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Santi D, Spaggiari G, Simoni M, Granata AR. Accurate and time‐saving, two‐step intracavernosal injection procedure to diagnose psychological erectile dysfunction. Andrology 2022; 10:852-862. [PMID: 35279959 PMCID: PMC9311207 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background The recognition of the erectile dysfunction pathogenesis is essential to identify the appropriate erectile dysfunction management. As vascular erectile dysfunction could be a manifestation of a systemic arterial damage, the watershed in the erectile dysfunction diagnostic framework is the discrimination between psychological erectile dysfunction and vascular erectile dysfunction. However, reliable tools to directly diagnose psychological erectile dysfunction are currently lacking. Objective To identify which parameters could predict psychological erectile dysfunction. Moreover, we suggest a new intracavernosal injection procedure to optimize the erectile dysfunction diagnostic workup. Materials and methods A retrospective, real‐world analysis was carried out including all men who underwent intracavernosal injection procedure at the Modena Andrology Unit from 2018 to 2021. A first intracavernosal injection procedure with 5 µg of prostaglandin E‐1 (PGE‐1) was performed. In the absence of a full drug‐induced erection (immediate or delayed), an echo‐color Doppler penile evaluation after administration of PGE‐1 10 µg was conducted, measuring intracavernosal blood flows, to document a possible vascular etiology. Hormonal evaluations were performed. Results Out of 179 enrolled patients, 70.4% showed psychological erectile dysfunction, 21.7% vascular erectile dysfunction, and 7.8% hormonal genesis. Multinomial logistic regression analysis identified absence of cardiovascular disease (p = 0.017), presence of spontaneous morning erections (p = 0.018), and normal penile erections with masturbation (p = 0.035) as predictors of psychological erectile dysfunction. Clinically, normal intracavernosal injection test response was detected in 86 patients and abnormal response in 93 subjects. Among the latter, 54 patients experienced a delayed response. The combination of intracavernosal injection test with late penile erections evaluation was able to diagnose psychological erectile dysfunction (sensitivity 97%, specificity 100%), avoiding unnecessary retesting. Discussion We propose a two‐step intracavernosal injection procedure that allows to recognize psychological erectile dysfunction with a high sensitivity/specificity, saving costs and time, and limiting adverse events. Moreover, the presence of spontaneous morning erections and valid penile erections after masturbation could guide the diagnostic workup, indirectly identifying those patients deserving of a deeper evaluation of vascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Santi
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties Azienda Ospedaliero‐Universitaria of Modena Modena Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Giorgia Spaggiari
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties Azienda Ospedaliero‐Universitaria of Modena Modena Italy
| | - Manuela Simoni
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties Azienda Ospedaliero‐Universitaria of Modena Modena Italy
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Modena Italy
| | - Antonio R.M. Granata
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties Azienda Ospedaliero‐Universitaria of Modena Modena Italy
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Dewitte M, Bettocchi C, Carvalho J, Corona G, Flink I, Limoncin E, Pascoal P, Reisman Y, Van Lankveld J. A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM). Sex Med 2021; 9:100434. [PMID: 34626919 PMCID: PMC8766276 DOI: 10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although erectile dysfunction (ED) involves an interaction between physiological and psychological pathways, the psychosocial aspects of ED have received considerably less attention so far. AIM To review the available evidence on the psychosocial aspects of ED in order to develop a position statement and clinical practice recommendations on behalf of the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM). METHOD A comprehensive, narrative review of the literature was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Specific statements and recommendations according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence criteria were provided. RESULTS A multidisciplinary treatment, in which medical treatment is combined with a psychological approach, is preferred over unimodal treatment. There is increasing evidence that psychological treatments of ED can improve medical treatments, the patient's adherence to treatment, and the quality of the sexual relationship. The main components of psychological treatment of ED involve cognitive and behavioral techniques aimed at reducing anxiety, challenging dysfunctional beliefs, increasing sexual stimulation, disrupting sexual avoidance, and increasing intimacy and communication skills in a relational context. When applicable and possible, it is strongly recommended to include the partner in the assessment and treatment of ED and to actively work on interpartner agreement and shared decision-making regarding possible treatment options. To ensure a better integration of the biopsychosocial model into clinical practice, developing concrete treatment protocols and training programs are desirable. CONCLUSION Because the psychosocial approach to ED has been underexposed so far, this position statement provides valuable information for clinicians treating ED. Psychological interventions on ED are based on existing theoretical models that are grounded in empirical evidence. However, the quality of available studies is low, which calls for further research. The sexual medicine field would benefit from pursuing more diversity, inclusivity, and integration when setting up treatments and evaluating their effect. Dewitte M, Bettocchi C, Carvalho J, et al. A Psychosocial Approach to Erectile Dysfunction: Position Statements from the European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM). Sex Med 2021;9:100434.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Dewitte
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Carlo Bettocchi
- Policlinic, Urology Unit, University of Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Joanna Carvalho
- Escola de Psicologia e Ciências da Vida, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Giovanni Corona
- Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Azienda USL, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ida Flink
- Center for Health and Medical Psychology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Erika Limoncin
- Chair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Patricia Pascoal
- CICPSI, Faculdade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, Alameda da Universidade, Lisboa, Portugal; Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal; Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação & CPUP, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
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Palaiodimos L, Herman HS, Wood E, Karamanis D, Martinez-Rodriguez C, Sanchez-Lopez A, Ruderman E, Jang M, Fischer D, Huang H, Gadde U, Leider J. Practices and Barriers in Sexual History Taking: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Public Adult Primary Care Clinic. J Sex Med 2020; 17:1509-1519. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Schmidt J. [Not Available]. MMW Fortschr Med 2020; 162:8. [PMID: 32124378 DOI: 10.1007/s15006-020-0185-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
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