Evaluation of Semen Quality following Kallikrein Treatment

Abstract

30 asthenozoospermic subfertile men were treated parenterally for 3 months with kallikrein. 20 men showed a significant increase in sperm motility, 66% (responders), while the other 10 men, 34% (non-responders), did not respond to this treatment. A striking decrease in sperm concentration (by 32%) was found in most patients. No latent period was found following kallikrein treatment. Thus, semen quality did not differ if examined immediately following the cessation of treatment or a few weeks afterwards. A poor pregnancy rate was recorded, i.e. 20% among the responders and 10% among the non-responders. In conclusion, kallikrein is a useful drug in the treatment of asthenozoospermia only when the sperm concentration is not decreased below the optimal value.

Effect of high dose oral Kallikrein treatment in men with idiopathic subfertility: evaluation by means of in vitro penetration test of zona free hamster ova

“…The lack of effect of Kallikrein treatment on routine semen characteristics contrasts with the results reported by others (Milbradt et al 1978;Homonnai et al 1978;Schill 1979;Torok 1980;Iizuka & Sato 1981;Ishigami et al 1981). However, the results of favourable studies are often inconsistent, both concerning the effect on different semen characteristics as concerning the influence on endocrine testicular function ; indeed Schill ( 1979) reported testosterone concentration to increase during treatment, whereas Torok (1980) observed a tendency to decrease.…”

“…Furthermore, results of favourable studies tend to be discordant since e.g. Homonnai et al (1978) found an improvement in sperm motility but not in sperm concentration, whereas Milbradt et al (1978) noticed the opposite, namely impairment of sperm motility with increased sperm count. Finally, Bedford 8c Elstein ( 198 1) observed similar changes in semen parameters after placebo and Kallikrein treatment in a doubleblind cross-over study.…”

The effect of oral Kallikrein treatment on sperm motility in asthenozoospermia

“…Unlike Schill (1975Schill ( , 1979 and other investigators (Ishigami & Kamidono 1975;Kienitz & Schill 1977;Tauber et al 1977;Gecse et al 1f978;Homonnai et al 1978;Sat0 et al 1979;Torok 1979;Kamidono et al 1981) we did not find any improvement in the quantitative or qualitative motility of sperm in patients with asthenozoospermia either during or after Kallikrein treatment. Our results are in agreement with those of Milbradt et al (1978), although they used 300 U of Kallikrein daily.…”

“…Prompted by such findings investigators have tried to improve the quality of semen in oligozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men by oral or parented Kallikrein treatment (Ishigami & Kamidono 1975;Kienitz & Schill 1977;Tauber & Propping 1977;Gecse et al 1978;Homonnai et al 1978;Milbradt et al 1978;Sato et al 1979;Torok 1979;Kamidono et d. 1981). In particular, Schill(l975, 1979) reported that oral Kallikrein therapy exerted a favourable effect on sperm motility in oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia.…”

Recent Progress in Pharmacological Therapy of Male Subfertility - a Review*

“…Best results were obtained in idiopathic forms of oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia, whereas in spermatogenic arrest or severe tubular failure no effect could be seen (summarized by Schirren -1978) Kallikrein treatment leads in a certain percentage of the infertile patients to a quantitative and qualitative improvement of sperm motility, an increase in the number of spermatozoa and a slight improvement of the percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa. Thus, in asthenozoospermia an improvement of sperm motility will be the primary effect, whereas in oligozoospermia both number and motility of the spermatozoa will be improved Schill - , 1976bSchill - , 1978bLunglmayr -1976;Tauber et al -1977;Homonnai et al -1978;Schirren -1978). There is a considerable shift towards an increased number of spermatozoa in the kallikrein group as well as significant differences in the size of the distribution curves between both groups.…”