Healthy live birth using theophylline in a case of retrograde ejaculation and absolute asthenozoospermia

Capsule:
Theophylline was an efficient tool in stimulating immotile spermatozoa in patients with retrograde ejaculation.

Authors:
Ebner Thomas, Ph.D., Shebl Omar, M.D., Mayer Richard Bernhard, M.D., Moser Marianne, Ph.D., Costamoling Walter, M.D., Oppelt Peter, M.D.

Volume 101, Issue 2, Pages 340-343, February 2014

Abstract:

Objective:
To analyze whether the use of ready-to-use theophylline is a feasible option in a case of retrograde ejaculation and absolute asthenozoospermia.

Design:
Case report.

Setting:
In vitro fertilization unit of a public hospital.

Patient(s):
Thirty-one-year-old nulliparous woman, and 39-year-old male with retrograde ejaculation and absolute asthenozoospermia.

Intervention(s):
Retrieval of postejaculatory urine, restoration of motility using a methylxanthine, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, single-embryo transfer.

Main Outcome Measure(s):
Sperm motility, fertilization, embryo quality, live birth.

Result(s):
Successful fertilization and a single-embryo transfer resulted in a healthy live birth.

Conclusion(s):
Theophylline turned out to be a safe, efficient agent for stimulating immotile spermatozoa in patients with retrograde ejaculation.