Role of the Toxic Metal Cadmium in the Mechanism Producing Infertility With a Varicocele

This study has been completed.

Sponsored by:	National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Information provided by:	National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00044369

Purpose

Varicose veins in the scrotum (varicocele) are responsible for >20% of male infertility in the US. Varicocele are associated with decreased sperm number and markedly reduced sperm fertilizing ability. Surgical repair or removal of varicocele restores fertility in only 1/3 of cases. The goal of this study is to identify markers that predict the outcome of variocele correction. This would offer considerable health cost savings.

Based on preliminary findings, we will obtain testis biopsies and semen specimens from infertile men with varicocele and prospectively examining the levels of cadmium, a toxic metal, and expression of genes required for normal sperm function. The semen and biopsies will be obtained during clinically dictated procedures. Cadmium and gene expression will be compared with response to varicocele repair (i.e., increased sperm production; pregnancy).

Condition	Intervention
Varicocele Male Infertility Hypospermatogenesis Non-Obstructive Azoospermia	Procedure: Varicocele repair

MedlinePlus related topics: Infertility Varicose Veins

U.S. FDA Resources

Study Type:	Observational
Study Design:	Screening, Longitudinal, Defined Population, Prospective Study
Official Title:	Increased Testicular Cd2+ & Infertility With Varicocele ( a Varicose Vein in the Scrotum)

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS):

Estimated Enrollment:	400
Study Start Date:	May 2000
Estimated Study Completion Date:	April 2005

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:	21 Years to 55 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:	Male
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	Yes

Criteria

Healthy male with varicocele (grades 2 [palpable] or 3 [visible, palpable]) and no other diagnosed cause for infertility
Non-smoker
Actively desiring children but never having initiated a pregnancy
Female partner having no unresolved fertility issues

Contacts and Locations

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00044369

Locations

United States, New Jersey
University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden
Camden, New Jersey, United States, 08103
United States, New York
North Shore University Hospital
Manhasset, New York, United States, 11030

Sponsors and Collaborators

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Investigators

Principal Investigator:

Susan H Benoff, PhD

North Shore University Hospital

More Information

Publications:

Benoff S, Gilbert BR. Varicocele and male infertility: part I. Preface. Hum Reprod Update. 2001 Jan-Feb;7(1):47-54. Review. No abstract available.

Benoff S, Hurley IR, Barcia M, Mandel FS, Cooper GW, Hershlag A. A potential role for cadmium in the etiology of varicocele-associated infertility. Fertil Steril. 1997 Feb;67(2):336-47.

Benoff S, Cooper GW, Centola GM, Jacob A, Hershlag A, Hurley IR. Metal ions and human sperm mannose receptors. Andrologia. 2000 Sep;32(4-5):317-29.

Benoff S, Jacob A, Hurley IR. Male infertility and environmental exposure to lead and cadmium. Hum Reprod Update. 2000 Mar-Apr;6(2):107-21. Review.

Study ID Numbers:	10496-CP-001
Study First Received:	August 27, 2002
Last Updated:	September 1, 2006
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00044369
Health Authority:	United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS):

Varicocele
environmental toxins
male infertility
cadmium

Study placed in the following topic categories:

Genital Diseases, Female
Oligospermia
Infertility
Azoospermia
Varicocele

Varicose Veins
Infertility, Male
Vascular Diseases
Genital Diseases, Male

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Cardiovascular Diseases

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 16, 2009