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Low‐Dose Lisinopril in Normotensive Men With Idiopathic Oligospermia and Infertility: A 5‐Year Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Pilot Study
Author(s) -
Mbah A U,
Ndukwu G O,
Ghasi S I,
Shu E N,
Ozoemena F N,
Mbah J O,
Onodugo O D,
Ejim E C,
Eze M I,
Nkwo P O,
Okonkwo P O
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.2011.265
Subject(s) - oligospermia , medicine , lisinopril , placebo , crossover study , male infertility , sperm , adverse effect , infertility , urology , randomized controlled trial , azoospermia , gynecology , pregnancy rate , andrology , pregnancy , biology , genetics , alternative medicine , pathology , blood pressure , angiotensin converting enzyme
The outcomes of drug treatment for male infertility remain conjectural, with controversial study results. Our pilot study employed a randomized, placebo‐controlled, crossover methodology with intention‐to‐treat analysis. Thirty‐three men with idiopathic oligospermia were randomized to start either daily oral lisinopril 2.5 mg ( n = 17) or daily oral placebo ( n = 16). Lisinopril was found to cause a normalization of seminal parameters in 53.6% of the participants. Although the mean ejaculate volume was unchanged ( P ≥ 0.093), the total sperm cell count and the percentage of motile sperm cells increased ( P ≤ 0.03 and P < 0.001, respectively), whereas the percentage of sperm cells with abnormal morphology decreased ( P ≤ 0.04). The pregnancy rate was 48.5%, and there was no serious adverse drug event. It is concluded, albeit cautiously, that prolonged treatment with 2.5 mg/day of oral lisinopril may be well tolerated in normotensive men with idiopathic oligospermia, may improve sperm quantity and quality, and may enhance fertility in approximately half of those treated. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2012); 91 4, 582–589. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2011.265