Does Clomiphene citrate administration increase the success rate of microdissection testicular sperm extraction in non-obstructive azoospermic men? A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Clomiphene citrate (CC) has been suggested to increase the chance of sperm retrieval with microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of CC on micro-TESE results, due to the great controversy in this regard. Materials and Methods: 112 participants were included in this cross-sectional study and were divided into a case (n = 54) and a control group (n = 58) diagnosed with non-abstractive azoospermia. The case group received 25 mg of CC daily for 3 months, while the control group did not receive anything. All participants underwent micro-TESE by an andrologist, and at the end, the results were compared between groups. Hormone tests, including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and prolactin were analyzed. Results: The mean age of participants was the same in the case and the control groups, and no significant relationship was observed between the 2 groups (p = 0.16). 25.9% of sperm and 31.0% of sperm were observed and extracted in the CC-treated and the control group, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings showed that after receiving CC, the number of sperm extraction did not increase but it rather decreased. However, the initial level of hormones such as testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin, and the men’s age, testicle size, smoking, and opium addiction, underlying diseases had no significant relationship in the 2 groups and did not affect the results. Key words: Azoospermia, Clomiphene, Male infertility, Sperm retrieval.