Human Reproduction, Vol. 15, No. 1, 83-85,
January 2000
© 2000 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Recovery of spermatogenesis and successful conception after bone marrow transplant for acute leukaemia: Case report
The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Camden, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics And Gynecology, Division Of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Camden, New Jersey, USA
A case is presented of a young adult male diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia who was treated with busulphan and cyclophosphamide, but not total body irradiation, with subsequent bone marrow transplantation. After surviving for 5 years, he and his wife experienced a period of infertility. Interestingly, the problem was found to be with the female partner and the man's sperm evaluation seemed normal. A successful pregnancy ensued following the surgical removal of a large endometrioma and treating a luteal phase deficiency. Though this may be the fifth case of proven parentage in cases of bone marrow conditioning and bone marrow transplantation in a male for control of leukaemia, we believe it is the first documented case showing a normal semen analysis despite treatment. Further studies are needed to see if chemical conditioning with busulphan and cyclophosphamide preserve the chances of sperm production better than total body irradiation.
Key words: bone marrow conditioning/pregnancy/spermatozoa
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: 7447 Old York Road, Melrose Park, PA 19027, USA