Prednisolone Improves IVF Outcomes in Men With Anti-sperm Antibodies
Reproductive Sterility
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Reproductive Sterility focused on measuring prednisolone, anti-sperm antibodies, sperm penetration assay
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Female partners had complete or partial tubal patency
- Male partners with anti-sperm antibodies
- Male partners with sperm count > 35 million/ml.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Female partners with polycystic ovary
- Female partners with endometriosis
- Female partners with abnormal profile of reproductive hormones
- Female partners with abnormal profile of thyroid hormones
- Male partners with seminal fluid infections (e.g. leukospermia)
- Male partners with abnormal profile of reproductive hormones
- Male partners with abnormal profile of thyroid hormones
Sites / Locations
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Experimental
No Intervention
No Intervention
Prednisolone treated men / positive SPA / IVF
Prednisolone treated men / negative SPA / ICSI
Control men / positive SPA / IVF
Control men / negative SPA / ICSI
Infertile men, with anti-sperm antibodies, were treated with prednisolone tablet, which is an intermediate acting corticosteroid, po, for 21 days of their wife's menstrual cycles. Briefly, the prednisolone regimen was started with a dose of 5mg, tid, for two weeks followed by 5mg bid for five days. This was further tapered to one tablet of 5mg/day for two days. Patients were then given one week of rest from the treatment, before this prednisolone regimen was repeated for another two cycles. Prednisolone treated men, who recovered from anti-sperm antibodies, underwent then sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster ova. Couples with male partners having positive SPA results (greater than five) were admitted to conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles.
Infertile men, with anti-sperm antibodies, were treated with prednisolone tablet, which is an intermediate acting corticosteroid, po, for 21 days of their wife's menstrual cycles. Briefly, the prednisolone regimen was started with a dose of 5mg, tid, for two weeks followed by 5mg bid for five days. This was further tapered to one tablet of 5mg/day for two days. Patients were then given one week of rest from the treatment, before this prednisolone regimen was repeated for another two cycles. Prednisolone treated men, who recovered from anti-sperm antibodies, underwent then sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster ova. Couples with male partners having negative SPA results (equal or less than five) were admitted to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.
Infertile men with anti-sperm antibodies who were not treated with prednisolone, which is an intermediate acting corticosteroid, underwent sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster ova. Couples with male partners having positive SPA results (more than five) were then admitted to in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle.
Infertile men with anti-sperm antibodies who were not treated with prednisolone, which is an intermediate acting corticosteroid, underwent sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster ova. Couples with male partners having negative SPA results (equal or less than five) were then admitted to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.