Study summary
Hormone treatment before surgery may raise the chance of finding sperm, on weak evidence
About 2xthe odds of finding sperm, from low-quality studies
What was tested
A pooled analysis of studies giving hormones such as hCG, FSH or clomiphene before sperm retrieval surgery.
What they found
- Men given hormones had about twice the odds of sperm being found (odds ratio 1.96).
- Most studies were at moderate or serious risk of bias.
- No benefit was seen in men whose FSH was already high, which is most men with this condition.
- Micro-TESE on its own finds sperm in roughly 40 to 60% of men.
What it means
Used selectively, not routinely. An 860-man randomized trial is registered to test it properly.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team.
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