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

NCT ID: NCT00044369

Last Updated: 2006-09-04

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

400 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2000-05-31

Study Completion Date

2005-04-30

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

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).

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Varicocele Male Infertility Hypospermatogenesis Non-Obstructive Azoospermia

Keywords

Explore important study keywords that can help with search, categorization, and topic discovery.

Varicocele environmental toxins male infertility cadmium

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Observational Model Type

DEFINED_POPULATION

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Varicocele repair

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion 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
Minimum Eligible Age

21 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

55 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

NIH

Sponsor Role lead

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Susan H Benoff, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

North Shore University Hospital

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden

Camden, New Jersey, United States

Site Status

North Shore University Hospital

Manhasset, New York, United States

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Benoff S, Gilbert BR. Varicocele and male infertility: part I. Preface. Hum Reprod Update. 2001 Jan-Feb;7(1):47-54. doi: 10.1093/humupd/7.1.47. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11212074 (View on PubMed)

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. doi: 10.1016/S0015-0282(97)81921-8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9022613 (View on PubMed)

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. doi: 10.1046/j.1439-0272.2000.00401.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11021525 (View on PubMed)

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. doi: 10.1093/humupd/6.2.107.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10782569 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

10496-CP-001

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id