AUA Highlights: Infertility, by Dr. Rao

Male infertility was well represented at AUA (American Urological Association) Annual Meeting 2014 in Orlando, Florida. In the plenary session, the risks of increased paternal age were outlined. Notably, children of older fathers are at higher risk of autism, schizophrenia, and achondroplasia (dwarfism). Although the relative increase in incidence of these conditions is alarming, the overall incidence remains low, even in children of older fathers. (Click here to see the video of this Critical Discussion: Advanced Paternal Age - What Are the Real Risks?)

A topic that received continued attention is the increased use of testosterone. This is of particular importance for men with impaired fertility. Use of testosterone replacement therapy causes reversible infertility in most men, however some patients may not recover even after discontinuing the medication. It is critical that men with low testosterone and infertility should not be treated with testosterone replacement therapy, but other alternative medications should be considered instead.

Much research was presented on the outcomes after varicocele. Notably, a meta-analysis of previous studies showed an improvement in pregnancy and life birth rates after varicocele repair in couples using assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF and ICSI. In addition, successful sperm retrieval rates were higher in men who underwent extraction procedures after varicocele repair compared to men with untreated varicoceles. (PD24-01; see below)

In addition, many studies were presented that investigated various genes and DNA modifications that may play a role in infertility. However, none of these will cause immediate change in the treatment of infertile men. Currently, here at the Brady, we are collaborating with many Hopkins scientists to investigate molecular causes for infertility. These studies include finding unidentified genes causing infertility, investigating whether transposons are interrupting critical DNA sequences of sperm production, and identifying other molecules that may play roles and in male infertility treatment for male contraception.

This blog was written by Pravin Rao, M.D., Assistant Professor and Director of Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins.

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PD24-01: The role of varicocele repair prior to assisted reproductive technology 

Saneal Rajanahally*, Houston, TX, Edgar Kirby, Karen Crowell, Robert Coward, Chapel Hill, NC

Abstract: PD24-01 

Introduction and Objectives 

While it has been established that varicoceles can contribute to infertility, and that varicocele repair (VR) can improve semen parameters such that fertility can be achieved, the relationship between VR and subsequent success with assisted reproductive technologies (ART) has yet to be definitively elucidated. This study is a systematic review the available literature describing the impact of VR on ART outcomes. 

Methods 

A PubMed search from 1/1982-9/2013 was performed to identify prospective, prospective-controlled, and retrospective studies addressing the relationship between VR and ART outcomes in couples with male factor infertility. Studies were excluded if they did not include fertilization, pregnancy, and/or live birth rates. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test. 

Results 

Seven studies were identified (1 prospective, 4 prospective controlled, 2 retrospective). Five of 7 studies utilized intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), 1 reported in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes, and 1 used intrauterine insemination (IUI). There was no difference in fertilization rate between surgical and non-surgical groups (67.8% vs 66.1%). However, 245 of 505 patients (48.5%) who underwent VR achieved pregnancy compared with 199 of 475 (41.9%) with untreated varicocele (p<0.05). Live birth rate was significantly higher after VR (n=314, 46.5%) in comparison to the uncorrected varicocele cohort (n=374, 32.1%, p<0.001). Pregnancy (11.8% vs. 6.3%, p<0.05) and live birth rate (11.8% vs. 2.1%, p<0.05) per IUI cycle were both significantly higher in patients after VR in comparison to those untreated. Individuals with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) had a significantly higher sperm retrieval rate after VR (n=140, 57.1%) than those with NOA and untreated varicocele (n=218, 38.9%, p<0.005). 

Conclusions 

Available data in this systematic review demonstrate a higher pregnancy and live birth rate in men after VR compared with those with uncorrected varicoceles, along with increased sperm retrieval rates in men with NOA. The positive impact that VR may have on ART outcomes should be discussed with couples with male factor infertility due to varicocele. 

Date & Time: May 19, 2014 3:30 PM-5:30 PM 

Session Title: Infertility: Therapy 

Sources of Funding: None