INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE—AUGUST, 1996
A Boon for Male Sterility
Prof. R. S. Jaya Singh, Professor, and Head of the Dept. of Medicine,
S. V. Medical College and S. V. R. R. G. G. Hospital, Tirupathi, A. P
Introduction
Male infertility is a common and distressing problem in which reproductive abnormalities frequently play an important rote. The statistics from various infertility centers from all over the world have convincingly shown that 15% of all married couples have infertility problems, of which the male partner is partially or totally responsible for infertility in 50% of barren marriage. During the last few years our insight into the mechanisms of the physiology of reproduction undergone a swift and constant development. the advent of more sophisticated diagnostic methods and their relatively easy clinical application has helped in the evaluation of the infertile couple.
The aim of therapy in infertile man is the improvement or normalization of the fertile status of the subfertile individual male in order to increase the chance of pregnancy of the female partner within a defined period of time. Several treatments have been suggested and the selection of the treatment regimen depends on the underlying endocrine/ surgical abnormality that may be causing infertility.
With this view 25 cases of infertility (male) with-out any demonstrable causes for infertility were taken in this Clinical Trial. All the possible causes for infertility were excluded and the semen analysis was done periodically. Urine, Biochemical and other endocrinal function tests were done including testicular biopsy wherever feasible.
FORTEGE
Fortege contains Ashwagandha ( Withania Somnifera) Kapikachchu (Mucuna Pruriens), Vriddharak (Argyria Speciosa), Jeevanti (Leptadenia Reticulata), Akalkara (Ano-cycles—Pyrethrum), etc. Each tablet of Fortege contains:-
| Kaniboji (Breynia Patens) | 56 mg |
| Kuncha beej (Mucuna Pruriens) | 30mg |
| Suddha Kachura (Curcuma zederia) | 30mg |
| Samudra sosh beej ( Argyreia speciosa) | 15mg |
| Varadhara beej (Argyria speciosa) Seeds | 15mg |
| Vardhara mool (Argyria speciosa) Roots | 15mg |
| Asan ( Withania Somnifera) | 15mg |
| Piper (Piper longum) | 7.5mg |
| Vacha (Acorus calamus) | 7.5mg |
| Mari (Piper nigrum) | 7.5mg |
| Sunth (Zingiber officinalis) | 7.5mg |
| Chini Kabab (Cubebs officinalis) | 7.5mg |
| Akalkara (Anocyclus Pyrethrum) | 7.5mg |
| Sukhadver (Santalum album) | 7.5mg |
| Jaifal (Myristica Fragrans arillus) | 4.5mg |
| Javantri (Myristica fragrans arillus) | 3.0mg |
| Laving (Caryophyllus aromaticus) | 7.5mg |
Materials & Methods
Twenty-five cases of infertility (male) aged’ between 20 years to 60 years were taken in this Clinical Trial. This study period was from 1989 to 1995. The following investigations were made: Urine and stool examination, Chest X-ray, ECG, Blood Urea, Blood Sugar, routine Blood examination. Subjects with ailments like Diabetes, Hypertension, Depression, Malignancy and other diseases where there was definite organic defect for sterility were excluded from this study. All the subjects, married and labeled as sterile after 5 years of active sexual life, were taken in this study. Fortege was given in a dose of 2 tablets 3 times a day for a minimum period of 12 weeks and up to 20 weeks. The assessment was made at the end of each 4 weeks period. Once their partner became pregnant, a maintenance dose of 2 tabs. 2 times a day for a maximum period of 3 months was given.
Results
The results were good as all the female partners of the 25 subjects entered into this Clinical Trial were successful in achieving gestation within 12 weeks to one year.
Discussion
All the 25 subjects (100%) with Fortege treatment showed an excellent response. All of them could benefit within 12 weeks of Fortege therapy and continued the therapy. No complications to this Fortege therapy were noticed during trial and followup for a maximum period of one year. There was no change in blood counts and other biochemical investigations during and after For-tege therapy. The results of this trial with drug Fortege in Sterility (Men) are excellent and hence considered as “A BOON FOR MALE STERILITY”.
Summary
Fortege may be considered as a useful first-line drug in treating male sterility where no definite organic disease is present.
Acknowledgment
I am thankful to Sri K. M. S. Chetty of Mks. Alarsin (Pharmaceuticals), Bombay for their esteemed cooperation. I can also thankful to Dr. Y. Govindarajulu, Superintendent, Govt. General Hospital, Tirupathi, for allowing me to conduct this trial in S. V. R. R. G. G. Hospital, Tirupathi.
References
- Dubin L. and Amolar R. D.—Etiologic factors in 1924 consecutive cases of male infertility. Fertil. Steril. 22: 469, 1971.
- Swerdloff R. S. —Infertility in the male. Ann. Med. 103: 906, 1985.
- Bhalerao M. N., Bhalerao S. M., Amarnath S., and Daithankar S. G.,—Fortege in Male Infertility—A Controlled Trial — 23rd All India Obst. and Gynaec. Congress, Bangalore; Curr. Med. Pract. XXIV : (3) 95-99, 1979.