Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39329878›Full record

ReviewDiseases (Basel, Switzerland)2024

Empirical Treatments for Male Infertility: A Focus on Lifestyle Modifications and Medicines.

Aris Kaltsas, Athanasios Zachariou, Fotios Dimitriadis, Michael Chrisofos, Nikolaos Sofikitis

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Diseases (Basel, Switzerland), 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 22 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
22citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

22 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. Review
  8. Review
  9. Review
  10. Review
  11. Proteome of the testicular cell-conditioned medium supports germ cell differentiationJournal of advanced veterinary and animal research · 2025
    Article
  12. Review
  13. Review
  14. Review
  15. Review
  16. Review
  17. Review
  18. Review
  19. Review
  20. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Aris KaltsasThird Department of Urology, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0003-4651-312X
Athanasios ZachariouDepartment of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-5287-4450
Fotios DimitriadisDepartment of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.ORCID 0000-0003-1198-9144
Michael ChrisofosThird Department of Urology, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0003-1688-005X
Nikolaos SofikitisDepartment of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesMale infertility is a prevalent issue impacting numerous couples worldwide. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of empirical therapies for male infertility, focusing on both lifestyle modifications and medical treatments. This study provides a comprehensive overview of interventions aimed at improving male fertility outcomes.

methodsA thorough review of the existing literature was conducted, encompassing studies on lifestyle changes such as dietary changes, smoking cessation, alcohol moderation, and exercise. Additionally, medical treatments including selective estrogen receptor modulators, gonadotropins, aromatase inhibitors, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, antioxidants, dopamine agonists, kallikrein, indomethacin, low-dose corticosteroids, alpha-blockers, and nitric oxide donors were evaluated. The study population included males diagnosed with infertility, focusing on various underlying causes.

resultsLifestyle modifications were found to have a positive impact on sperm quality. Evidence shows that a healthy diet, smoking cessation, moderate alcohol consumption, and regular exercise improve fertility outcomes. Medical treatments demonstrated significant improvements in sperm production and quality. Selective estrogen receptor modulators and gonadotropins enhanced sperm parameters. Aromatase inhibitors and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors specifically improved sperm motility and increased pregnancy rates. Antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C and coenzyme Q10, reduced oxidative stress and enhanced sperm counts, motility, and morphology. Dopamine agonists, particularly cabergoline, normalized prolactin levels and improved fertility outcomes. Kallikrein therapy improved sperm parameters and increased pregnancy rates. Indomethacin treatment was associated with increased sperm concentrations and motility. Low-dose corticosteroids and alpha-blockers showed variable results, and nitric oxide donors like L-arginine enhanced sperm counts and motility.

conclusionsEmpirical therapies, including lifestyle modifications and medical treatments, significantly enhance sperm quality and reproductive potential. These integrated approaches are essential in improving fertility outcomes in males. However, further extensive randomized trials are necessary to definitively establish the most effective treatments.

Indexed as

lifestyle modificationsmale infertilitymedical treatmentsreproductive healthsperm quality

Identifiers

PMID39329878
PMCPMC11431325

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.