Induction of spermatogenesis by recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (puregon) in hypogonadotropic azoospermic men who failed to respond to human chorionic gonadotropin alone.

Bouloux PM, Nieschlag E, Burger HG, Skakkebaek NE, Wu FC, Handelsman DJ, Baker GH, Ochsenkuehn R, Syska A, McLachlan RI, Giwercman A, Conway AJ, Turner L, van Kuijk JH, Voortman G

Journal of andrology1 Jul 2003Cited by 49 (Europe PMC)

PMID12826700DOI10.1002/j.1939-4640.2003.tb02712.xPepBankPUB-12826700

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Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study9

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 3 results from people.

01HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
After hCG alone, 30 of 49 hypogonadotropic men had normalized testosterone levels but remained azoospermic.
In plain wordsAfter hCG alone, 30 of 49 men had normal testosterone levels but still had no sperm.
Peptide
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Outcome
IncreaseTestosterone normalization
Study
n = 49
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 16 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
Subjects with normalized testosterone who remained azoospermic
30 subjects
After hCG-alone phase
Proportion with normalized testosterone who remained azoospermic
61%
After hCG-alone phase
Source sentences
Summary
A total of 30 of 49 (61%) subjects had normalized testosterone levels but were still azoospermic after the hCG-alone phase.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients were pretreated for 16 weeks with hCG to normalize testosterone levels.
Summary · context
These patients were randomized into 2 treatment schemes with recFSH (2 x 225 IU recFSH per week [group A] or 3 x 150 IU recFSH per week [group B]), in combination with hCG for a period of 48 weeks.
Report a problemFND-1282670001
02HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In hypogonadotropic men later assigned to group A, testosterone increased from 1.08 to 6.26 ng/mL during hCG alone.
In plain wordsIn hypogonadotropic men later assigned to group A, testosterone increased during hCG alone.
Peptide
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Outcome
IncreaseTestosterone in group A
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 16 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
total testosterone
1.08 ng/mL
group A, start of hCG-alone period
total testosterone
6.26 ng/mL
group A, end of hCG-alone period
Source sentences
Summary
Total testosterone increased during the hCG-alone period from 1.08 and 1.22 ng/mL to 6.26 and 4.52 ng/mL for groups A and B, respectively.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients were pretreated for 16 weeks with hCG to normalize testosterone levels.
Summary · context
These patients were randomized into 2 treatment schemes with recFSH (2 x 225 IU recFSH per week [group A] or 3 x 150 IU recFSH per week [group B]), in combination with hCG for a period of 48 weeks.
Report a problemFND-1282670002
03HumanNon-randomized trialEfficacy outcome
In hypogonadotropic men later assigned to group B, testosterone increased from 1.22 to 4.52 ng/mL during hCG alone.
In plain wordsIn hypogonadotropic men later assigned to group B, testosterone increased during hCG alone.
Peptide
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Outcome
IncreaseTestosterone in group B
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Studied dose
Dose not stated · 16 weeksAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
total testosterone
1.22 ng/mL
group B, start of hCG-alone period
total testosterone
4.52 ng/mL
group B, end of hCG-alone period
Source sentences
Summary
Total testosterone increased during the hCG-alone period from 1.08 and 1.22 ng/mL to 6.26 and 4.52 ng/mL for groups A and B, respectively.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients were pretreated for 16 weeks with hCG to normalize testosterone levels.
Summary · context
These patients were randomized into 2 treatment schemes with recFSH (2 x 225 IU recFSH per week [group A] or 3 x 150 IU recFSH per week [group B]), in combination with hCG for a period of 48 weeks.
Report a problemFND-1282670003

Studies that did not test the peptide alone6

In this study, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).

04HumanNot a test of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In hypogonadotropic azoospermic men, hCG and recFSH induced spermatogenesis in 14 of 30 subjects after a median approximately 5.5 months.
In plain wordsIn hypogonadotropic azoospermic men, hCG and recFSH induced sperm production in 14 of 30 subjects.
Peptide
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Outcome
IncreaseSpermatogenesis response
Study
n = 30
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Measurements
Subjects achieving spermatogenesis
14 subjects
combined hCG and recFSH
Spermatogenesis response proportion
47%
combined hCG and recFSH
Sperm count threshold for spermatogenesis response
≥ 1 x 10(6)/mL
combined hCG and recFSH
Median treatment duration to spermatogenesis response
≈ 5.5 months
combined hCG and recFSH
Source sentences
Summary
Combined gonadotropin treatment was effective in inducing spermatogenesis (sperm count >/=1 x 10(6)/mL) in 14 of 30 subjects (47%) and this was achieved after a median duration of treatment of approximately 5.5 months.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients were pretreated for 16 weeks with hCG to normalize testosterone levels.
Summary · context
These patients were randomized into 2 treatment schemes with recFSH (2 x 225 IU recFSH per week [group A] or 3 x 150 IU recFSH per week [group B]), in combination with hCG for a period of 48 weeks.
In this study, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Report a problemFND-1282670004
05HumanNot a test of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In hypogonadotropic men, combined gonadotropins increased combined testicular volume from 11.4 to 24.0 mL.
In plain wordsIn hypogonadotropic men, combined gonadotropins increased testicular volume.
Peptide
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Outcome
IncreaseCombined testicular volume
Study
n = 30
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Measurements
combined testicular volume
11.4 mL
start of combined gonadotropin treatment
combined testicular volume
24 mL
end of combined gonadotropin treatment
Source sentences
Summary
Combined testicular volume increased during combined gonadotropin treatment from 11.4 to 24.0 mL.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients were pretreated for 16 weeks with hCG to normalize testosterone levels.
Summary · context
These patients were randomized into 2 treatment schemes with recFSH (2 x 225 IU recFSH per week [group A] or 3 x 150 IU recFSH per week [group B]), in combination with hCG for a period of 48 weeks.
In this study, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Report a problemFND-1282670007
06HumanNot a test of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) aloneRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In hypogonadotropic men, testosterone showed only a minor further increase during combined gonadotropin treatment.
In plain wordsIn hypogonadotropic men, testosterone increased only slightly further during combined gonadotropin treatment.
Peptide
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Outcome
IncreaseTestosterone during combination treatment
Study
n = 30
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
Total testosterone levels showed only a minor further increase during the combined gonadotropin treatment period.
3 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients were pretreated for 16 weeks with hCG to normalize testosterone levels.
Summary · context
These patients were randomized into 2 treatment schemes with recFSH (2 x 225 IU recFSH per week [group A] or 3 x 150 IU recFSH per week [group B]), in combination with hCG for a period of 48 weeks.
Summary · context
A total of 30 of 49 (61%) subjects had normalized testosterone levels but were still azoospermic after the hCG-alone phase.
In this study, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Report a problemFND-1282670009
07HumanNot a test of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) aloneRandomized controlled trialOther
In men receiving hCG and recFSH, time to first ejaculated sperm was related to initial testicular volume.
In plain wordsIn men receiving hCG and recFSH, time to first sperm was linked to initial testicular volume.
Peptide
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Outcome
Not applicableTime to first sperm and initial testicular volume
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
Treatment time necessary for first sperm cells to appear in the ejaculate was related to the initial testicular volume.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients were pretreated for 16 weeks with hCG to normalize testosterone levels.
Summary · context
These patients were randomized into 2 treatment schemes with recFSH (2 x 225 IU recFSH per week [group A] or 3 x 150 IU recFSH per week [group B]), in combination with hCG for a period of 48 weeks.
In this study, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Report a problemFND-1282670005
08HumanNot a test of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) aloneObservational studyEfficacy outcome
In men receiving combined gonadotropins, those with maldescended testes history showed a lower sperm response.
In plain wordsWith combined gonadotropins, men with maldescended testes history showed a lower sperm response than men without that history.
Peptide
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Outcome
DecreaseSperm response by maldescended testes history
Study
n = 30
Comparator
Subjects without a history of maldescended testes
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Measurements
Sperm concentration threshold for response comparison
≥ 1 x 10(6) sperm cells per milliliter
subjects with versus without a history of maldescended testes, combined gonadotropin treatment
Source sentences
Summary
Subjects with a history of maldescended testes (11 of 30 subjects, 37%) showed a lower mean response to treatment as indicated by the relatively lower number of subjects reaching levels of at least 1 x 10(6) sperm cells per milliliter.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients were pretreated for 16 weeks with hCG to normalize testosterone levels.
Summary · context
These patients were randomized into 2 treatment schemes with recFSH (2 x 225 IU recFSH per week [group A] or 3 x 150 IU recFSH per week [group B]), in combination with hCG for a period of 48 weeks.
In this study, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Report a problemFND-1282670006
09HumanNot a test of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) aloneObservational studyEfficacy outcome
During combined gonadotropins, men with and without maldescended testes history showed approximately the same relative testicular volume increase.
In plain wordsWith combined gonadotropins, relative testicular growth was approximately the same in men with and without maldescended testes history.
Peptide
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
Outcome
Direction not reportedRelative testicular volume increase by maldescended testes history
Study
n = 30
Comparator
Subjects without a history of maldescended testes
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
Although subjects with a history of maldescended testes had a lower starting testicular volume, subjects with and without a history of maldescended testes showed approximately the same relative increase in testicular volume.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Patients were pretreated for 16 weeks with hCG to normalize testosterone levels.
Summary · context
These patients were randomized into 2 treatment schemes with recFSH (2 x 225 IU recFSH per week [group A] or 3 x 150 IU recFSH per week [group B]), in combination with hCG for a period of 48 weeks.
In this study, hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).
Report a problemFND-1282670008

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Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
14 Oct 2026, 05:02 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
14 Oct 2026, 01:46 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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Terms as the source lists them.

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