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Semin Reprod Med 2013; 31(04): 251-257
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1345272
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Big Enough for an Aromatase Inhibitor? How Adiposity Affects Male Fertility

Sahar M. Stephens
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
,
Alex J. Polotsky
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
17 June 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Obesity is a pandemic and is associated with multiple medical problems including subfertility. Male obesity has been associated with altered semen parameters and reproductive hormonal levels, including a reduced testosterone:estradiol (T:E2) ratio. Treatment methods employed for obesity-related male subfertility include gonadotropin administration, weight loss, and aromatase inhibitors. Letrozole is a highly effective nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor that has been used to treat male subfertility in several case series with promising results. Adequately designed randomized controlled studies are needed to produce evidence-based data on the role of aromatase inhibitors in male subfertility management and evaluate the side-effect profile.

Keywords

male obesity - infertility - aromatase inhibitor - letrozole
 

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