THE EFFECT OF FOLLICLE-STIMULATING-HORMONE THERAPY ON HUMAN SPERM STRUCTURE (NOTULAE-SEMINOLOGICAE-11)

The effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) treatment on the qua lity of human spermatozoa were assessed by examining the ultrastructur e and the function of infertile human spermatozoa using a previously-d efined formula, Using the spermatozoa as an andrological monitor shows that the therapeutic effect of FSH depends on the type of sperm defec t, The response to FSH is, in many eases, positive and can be evaluate d by examining the state of the ejaculated spermatozoa, From an initia l group of 81 patients, 15 were placebo-treated controls, and 19 were non-responders (mainly with microbially infected semen), Out of 47 res ponders, after therapy nine achieved improved sperm quality which appr oached the natural fertility threshold, These responders all had sperm atozoa affected by immaturity or apoptosis (n = 27), The 20 microbiall y-infected responders also had immature spermatozoa and never achieved the quality level of natural fertility, Thus, a natural fertility lev el was only achieved by nine responders out of 27 (three with immature spermatozoa, and six with apoptotic spermatozoa), Using our method of sperm analysis, these patients' spermatozoa were clearly categorized before treatment as either immature or apoptotic, In consequence, the success of the therapy was predictable. The response of individual org anelles to therapy was examined. Certain qualities of the acrosome, th e chromatin, the mitochondria, and the axoneme appear to be sensitive to FSH. Most of the previous conflicting results reported in the liter ature may be due to a lack of relevant discrimination between the diff erent defects present in the spermatozoa of the patients, without asse ssing the likelihood of their response.