PMID-23260550 – HCG Preserves Spermatogenesis During TRT
Hsieh TC, Pastuszak AW, Hwang K, Lipshultz LI. Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy. J Urol. 2013;189(2):647-650.
Quick Reference
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| PMID | 23260550 |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.juro.2012.09.045 |
| Year | 2013 |
| Journal | Journal of Urology |
| Study Type | Observational (retrospective cohort) |
| Evidence Level | III |
| Sample | 26 men on TRT with concurrent HCG |
| Peptide(s) Studied | HCG |
Key Findings
- 26 men receiving testosterone replacement therapy with concomitant HCG (500 IU 3x/week) were evaluated
- Semen parameters were maintained in the majority of men
- Mean total motile sperm count remained above the fertility threshold
- HCG co-administration prevented the azoospermia typically seen with TRT alone
- Testicular volume was largely preserved during the study period
- Provides clinical evidence supporting the practice of adding HCG to TRT for fertility preservation
Study Design
Retrospective cohort study reviewing semen analyses and testicular volumes in men receiving TRT with concurrent HCG 500 IU three times weekly. Outcomes compared to expected suppression from TRT alone.
Limitations
- Retrospective design with no control group (TRT without HCG)
- Small sample size (n=26)
- Variable TRT regimens across patients
- No randomization or blinding
- Single-center study
Clinical Relevance
Provides real-world clinical evidence that HCG co-administration during TRT maintains spermatogenesis in most men. This supports the increasingly standard clinical practice of prescribing HCG alongside testosterone for reproductive-age men who wish to preserve fertility while on TRT. The 500 IU 3x/week dose is now widely adopted in clinical practice.
Related
#research #observational #HCG #evidence-level-III