Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41522318›Full record

ReviewTranslational andrology and urology2025

Preserving spermatogenesis in testosterone deficiency: innovations in replacement and stimulatory therapies.

Gabrielle Hochu, Isabella Geyer-Kim, Edward Kim

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Translational andrology and urology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. 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

3 authors.

Gabrielle HochuDepartment of Urology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3185-7405
Isabella Geyer-KimUniversity of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0962-8186
Edward KimDepartment of Urology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0538-4484

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The rising prevalence of testosterone deficiency has led to increased use of exogenous testosterone therapy, including among men desiring fertility. Conventional testosterone replacement therapies (TRT) restore serum testosterone but suppress gonadotropins, resulting in impaired spermatogenesis. Consequently, newer approaches aim to normalize testosterone levels while preserving fertility potential. Intranasal testosterone provides short-acting, pulsatile testosterone delivery that mimics physiologic diurnal variation. Studies demonstrate normalization of serum testosterone while maintaining follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) within reference ranges, supporting the potential for preserved spermatogenesis. Similarly, oral testosterone undecanoate formulations offer noninvasive administration and short-acting pharmacokinetics. Clinical data show maintenance of FSH and LH within normal limits, albeit reduced from baseline, suggesting possible fertility preservation-though data on semen parameters remain limited. Concomitant administration of low-dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) with exogenous testosterone has been shown to sustain intratesticular testosterone (ITT) and spermatogenesis. Multiple studies demonstrate that hCG maintains sperm production even with full gonadotropin suppression from TRT. Finally, enclomiphene citrate, a purified trans-isomer of clomiphene, stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, increasing endogenous testosterone while maintaining spermatogenesis. This paper provides an updated overview of these evolving modalities and advances since our 2013 publication, highlighting short-acting testosterone delivery, concomitant gonadotropin support, and selective estrogen receptor modulation. Continued research with larger, long-term studies is essential to confirm their safety, efficacy, and fertility outcomes.

Indexed as

enclomiphene citrate, spermatogenesismale fertilitysemen parametersTestosterone replacement therapy (TRT)

Identifiers

PMID41522318
PMCPMC12779434

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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.