Biomaterial Database

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the use of methylprednisolone in infertile men with sperm-associated immunoglobulins. 1987

G G Haas, and P Manganiello

Forty-three men with antibody-mediated infertility identified by measuring sperm-associated immunoglobulin with a direct radiolabeled antiglobulin assay were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled protocol to judge the efficacy of corticosteroids in this condition. In the active drug group, men were given 96 mg methylprednisolone in three divided doses for 7 days followed by a 2-day tapering of the drug. The control group was given placebo in the same manner. Both regimens were repeated three times approximately 1 month apart on the basis of their female partner's menstrual cycle. There was not a favorable effect of corticosteroids over placebo on the men's semen parameters, the results of assays for sperm-associated IgA and plasma IgG antisperm antibodies, or the men's subsequent fertility. There was a statistically significant effect on sperm-associated IgG in men given methylprednisolone compared with men given placebo.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007070	Immunoglobulin A	Represents 15-20% of the human serum immunoglobulins, mostly as the 4-chain polymer in humans or dimer in other mammals. Secretory IgA (IMMUNOGLOBULIN A, SECRETORY) is the main immunoglobulin in secretions.	IgA,IgA Antibody,IgA1,IgA2,Antibody, IgA
D007074	Immunoglobulin G	The major immunoglobulin isotype class in normal human serum. There are several isotype subclasses of IgG, for example, IgG1, IgG2A, and IgG2B.	Gamma Globulin, 7S,IgG,IgG Antibody,Allerglobuline,IgG(T),IgG1,IgG2,IgG2A,IgG2B,IgG3,IgG4,Immunoglobulin GT,Polyglobin,7S Gamma Globulin,Antibody, IgG,GT, Immunoglobulin
D007248	Infertility, Male	The inability of the male to effect FERTILIZATION of an OVUM after a specified period of unprotected intercourse. Male sterility is permanent infertility.	Sterility, Male,Sub-Fertility, Male,Subfertility, Male,Male Infertility,Male Sterility,Male Sub-Fertility,Male Subfertility,Sub Fertility, Male
D008297	Male		Males
D008775	Methylprednisolone	A PREDNISOLONE derivative with similar anti-inflammatory action.	6-Methylprednisolone,Medrol,Metipred,Urbason,6 Methylprednisolone
D010919	Placebos	Any dummy medication or treatment. Although placebos originally were medicinal preparations having no specific pharmacological activity against a targeted condition, the concept has been extended to include treatments or procedures, especially those administered to control groups in clinical trials in order to provide baseline measurements for the experimental protocol.	Sham Treatment
D011897	Random Allocation	A process involving chance used in therapeutic trials or other research endeavor for allocating experimental subjects, human or animal, between treatment and control groups, or among treatment groups. It may also apply to experiments on inanimate objects.	Randomization,Allocation, Random
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
D004311	Double-Blind Method	A method of studying a drug or procedure in which both the subjects and investigators are kept unaware of who is actually getting which specific treatment.	Double-Masked Study,Double-Blind Study,Double-Masked Method,Double Blind Method,Double Blind Study,Double Masked Method,Double Masked Study,Double-Blind Methods,Double-Blind Studies,Double-Masked Methods,Double-Masked Studies,Method, Double-Blind,Method, Double-Masked,Methods, Double-Blind,Methods, Double-Masked,Studies, Double-Blind,Studies, Double-Masked,Study, Double-Blind,Study, Double-Masked
D005260	Female		Females