D-Leucine-6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone ethylamide in the treatment of normogonadotropic oligoasthenospermia

The effectiveness of d-leucine-6-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone ethylamide (d-Leu-6-LH-RH-EA) in the treatment of idiopathic normogonadotropic oligoasthenospermia was assessed in 17 patients selected on the basis of at least three previous sperm counts; a history of long-standing infertility; normal serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone; and lack of any evidence of other pathologic involvement On testicular biopsy all patients showed hypospermatogenesis or arrest at the spermatid stage with the exception of two with more severe disorders. d-Leu-6-LH-RH-EA was administered intramuscularly for 90 days at a daily dose of 5µg (four patients), 10µg (four patients), 20µg (five patients), and 200µg (four patients). The results showed no significant improvement in the parameters considered (number of spermatozoa per milliliter, percentage of live and motile spermatozoa, and percentage of forwardly progressive spermatozoa). d-Leu-6-LH-RH-EA does not seem promising for the treatment of oligoasthenospermic patients.