The use of insulin-like growth factor 1 improved the parameters of the seminogram in a patient with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

Abstract

Male patients suffering from oligoasthenoteratozoospermia typically failed to achieve pregnancy, even with assisted reproductive technologies. Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 have been shown to regulate sperm quality parameters; therefore, the insulin-like growth factor 1 supplement could improve sperm parameters. Here, we determine the effect insulin-like growth factor 1 has on sperm parameters in a patient suffering from oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. A 47-year-old male was administered once a day 1.5 IU of insulin-like growth factor 1 by intradermal injection for 2 months. Seminogram analysis was performed before and after. Treatment with insulin-like growth factor 1 resulted in a 15.5-fold improvement in sperm concentration (1.1 × 10 6 vs 18.3 × 10 6 per mL), 71.4% change in volume (0.7 vs 1.2 mL), increased progressive motility (2% vs 43%), and the total volume of sperm with progressive motility (0% vs 23.6%). Here, we show that administering a daily dose of insulin-like growth factor 1 can improve sperm quality parameters.