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

September 1, 2006 updated by: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Increased Testicular Cd2+ & Infertility With Varicocele ( a Varicose Vein in the Scrotum)

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).

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment

400

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

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

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

21 years to 55 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

  • 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

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Susan H Benoff, PhD, North Shore University Hospital

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

May 1, 2000

Study Completion

April 1, 2005

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 27, 2002

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 27, 2002

First Posted (Estimate)

August 28, 2002

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

September 4, 2006

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 1, 2006

Last Verified

September 1, 2006

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 10496-CP-001

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Male Infertility

Clinical Trials on Varicocele repair

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Romania

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

3
Subscribe