Clomiphene citrate improves sperm parameters in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to observe the effect of clomiphene citrate on sperm parameters in infertile men diagnosed with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial involved 50 infertile men diagnosed with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia, all of whom had normal serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. The participants were divided into two groups. The first group (n=25) received a daily dose of 50 mg of clomiphene citrate in tablet form for 3 months, while the second group (n=25) was given a placebo. Sperm concentration, sperm motility, and serum testosterone levels were measured at the start of the study and after 3 months of treatment. Changes in these parameters were then assessed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in the mean sperm count (9.17±4.11 million/mL vs. 13.88±7.27 million/mL), progressive motility (14.67±7.03 vs. 21.42±11.9), total motile sperm count (3.53±3.08 million vs. 7.81±7.10 million), and mean serum testosterone levels (371.97±88.51 ng/dL vs. 805.94±290.77 ng/dL) in the clomiphene citrate group. In contrast, the changes in the placebo group were not significant. Post-treatment severe oligozoospermia was substantially lower in the clomiphene citrate group (odds ratio, 0.31) compared to the placebo group. Additionally, half of the participants in the clomiphene citrate group experienced a statistically significant upgrade in World Health Organization (WHO) sperm concentration categories, versus 27.3% in the placebo group.

CONCLUSION

Clomiphene citrate improves sperm count and motility, leading to upgrades in WHO sperm concentration categories in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia.