Sperm characteristics and hormonal profile before and after treatment with follicle-stimulating hormone in infertile patients.

Fourteen asthenoteratozoospermic (ATZS) patients were treated with 75-IU follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) injections 3 times a week for 3 months. In the group as a whole, sperm motility, viability, and morphology were improved, but not significantly. Only 3 patients impregnated their wives following treatment. Semen characteristics of the 3 patients whose wives were pregnant showed significant improvement in sperm morphology (p = .001). Only FSH levels were statistically higher (p = .022) than controls. The administration of FSH in weekly doses can improve the fertilization potential of sperm.