(081) Fertility Trends in Men with Prior History of Anabolic Steroid Use: Results from a Standardized Treatment Regimen
Authors: Ledesma B , Muthigi A , Weber A , Venigalla G , Ramasamy R 
Published: February 2024

Introduction

The management of infertility in men who have previously used anabolic steroids poses a complicated clinical challenge. Addressing the infertility issues in this specific population requires a comprehensive approach that considers the underlying physiological alterations caused by anabolic steroid use and tailors treatment interventions accordingly to restore and optimize reproductive function. In this study, we report an analysis of sperm parameter recovery and fertility outcomes in men who had azoospermia or severe oligospermia caused by anabolic steroid use and underwent a standardized treatment regimen for recovery of spermatogenesis.

Objective

The study aims to assess the longitudinal trends in sperm concentrations, determine the proportion of men achieving normozoospermia, and evaluate subsequent pregnancy rates in this specific population. Additionally, the study seeks to identify potential predictors for improved semen parameters and successful pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the period spanning from 2018 to 2022 was conducted on a cohort of men with a prior history of anabolic steroid use who complained of infertility. The standardized treatment approach involved the cessation of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and the administration of a combination regimen comprising clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for a minimum of 3 to 6 months. Following adequate treatment, men were contacted in March 2023 to determine the most up-to-date pregnancy outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing SPSS, employing univariate logistic regression analysis to establish a predictive mathematical model. The level of statistical significance was defined as p &lt; 0.05.

Results

A total of 45 men (median age 37 years, IQR 32-45) met inclusion criteria for this analysis. Median duration of prior T use was 4 years (IQR 1.3-10), with the two most common modalities consisting of injection therapy (43.5%) and oral therapy (34.8%). Median initial sperm concentration was 0 million/cc (IQR 0-1.15), and 23 (51.1%) men initially presented with azoospermia. The median duration of combination hCG/clomid therapy was 5 months (IQR 3-12). In initially azoospermic men (N:23), 5 were lost to follow-up, 6 (33.3%) progressed to severe oligospermia (&lt;5 million/cc), 6 (33.3%) to oligospermia (&lt;15 million/cc), 1 (5.6%) to normozoospermia (&gt;15 million/cc), and 5 (27.8%) remained azoospermic following medical treatment for 6 months. Among the 24 couples who responded to the follow-up call, a total of 9 (37.5%) achieved a successful subsequent pregnancy. Of these, 33.3% (3 couples) used assisted reproductive technology (ART), while 66.7% (6 couples) conceived naturally. On logistic regression analysis, no significant predictors for improved sperm parameters or successful pregnancy were identified.

Conclusions

Despite the implementation of appropriate treatment regimens, a significant proportion of men with a prior history of anabolic steroid use continue to exhibit severe oligospermia, with more than half failing to demonstrate substantial improvement in their semen parameters even after undergoing a six-month medical treatment protocol. Moreover, only a fraction of men, estimated to be 1 in 6, achieve normozoospermia following medical treatment after anabolic steroid use. Future work should continue to explore predictors for improved sperm parameters on follow-up as well as subsequent successful pregnancy in men with prior history of anabolic steroid use.

Disclosure

No.