Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment for Male Infertility

Overseen By Satvir Basran

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Disqualifiers: Under 18, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

10 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a new treatment called Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to assist men with fertility issues, particularly those who underwent a testicular procedure to retrieve sperm without success. PRP, derived from a person's own blood, is injected into the testicles to determine if it can enhance the chances of sperm retrieval and improve IVF outcomes. Suitable candidates have been diagnosed with NOA, a type of infertility where no sperm are produced, and have previously attempted a sperm retrieval procedure without success. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to investigate innovative fertility treatments that could potentially benefit future patients.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that platelet rich plasma treatment is safe for male infertility?

Research has shown that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is generally safe for treating male infertility. Because PRP is derived from the patient's own blood, the risk of side effects is low. Studies have found that PRP can improve sperm quality and fertility outcomes. Tests in both animals and humans have demonstrated positive safety results. Thus far, PRP appears to be a well-tolerated option for men seeking to enhance fertility. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment for male infertility because it uses the body's own healing factors to potentially improve fertility. Unlike traditional treatments like medication or surgery, PRP involves injecting concentrated growth factors directly into the testicles, which might enhance sperm production and quality. This innovative approach taps into the body's natural regenerative processes, offering a unique and potentially less invasive alternative to existing therapies.

What evidence suggests that platelet rich plasma might be an effective treatment for male infertility?

Research has shown that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment, which participants in this trial will receive, may improve male fertility. Studies have found that PRP can enhance semen quality, including increasing sperm count and improving sperm movement. Other research suggests that PRP supports spermatogenesis, the process of sperm production. Additionally, PRP has proven effective in other fertility areas, such as increasing the number and quality of eggs in women undergoing IVF. These findings suggest that PRP could be a valuable option for men facing infertility issues. ^{2 3 4 5 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for men over 18 with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) who have had an unsuccessful testicular sperm extraction (TESE). It's aimed at those seeking new options after traditional fertility treatments haven't worked.

Inclusion Criteria

You are over the age of 18 and have a history of NOA.

Exclusion Criteria

I'm sorry, but there is no criterion provided. Could you please provide me with more information?

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive intratesticular injection of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) after blood draw and preparation

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for sperm retrieval rates and IVF outcomes after PRP treatment

3 months

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Platelet Rich Plasma

Trial Overview The study tests whether injecting platelet rich plasma (PRP) directly into the testes can increase the chances of finding sperm during a repeat TESE and improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) results for these men.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Platelet rich plasma treatment arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

After consent in obtained, the patient will undergo a blood draw (12 tsp) to prepare the PRP infusion. The use of a centrifuge and an Arteriocyte Magellan kit are necessary for the PRP preparation. After injection of local anesthesia, PRP will be injected into each testicle.

Platelet Rich Plasma is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Platelet Rich Plasma for:

• Facet-mediated lumbar low back pain
• Degenerative joint disease
• Chronic pain

Approved in European Union as Platelet Rich Plasma for:

• Orthopedic conditions
• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Pain management

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Intraovarian injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) significantly improved oocyte count and quality in women with diminished ovarian reserve, with a 300% increase in oocytes for pregnant patients and a 125% increase for nonpregnant patients after treatment.

The study, which analyzed 60 out of 120 cases over a period from 2015 to 2020, found that PRP treatment also led to a significant increase in endometrial thickness and a decrease in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, suggesting a positive impact on ovarian function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment Increase In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Success in the Infertile Population? Safarova, S., Cevher Akdulum, MF., Guler, I., et al.[2023]

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy shows potential benefits in reproductive medicine, particularly in increasing endometrial thickness and improving pregnancy rates in women with thin endometrium.

In women with poor ovarian reserve, PRP therapy may enhance anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels and reduce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, suggesting a positive trend towards improved clinical outcomes, although more rigorous studies are needed to confirm these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A narrative review of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in reproductive medicine. Sharara, FI., Lelea, LL., Rahman, S., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. stemcellres.biomedcentral.com stemcellres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13287-025-04602-0

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and the future of male fertility The authors observed increased numbers of motile and immotile sperm and documented restored spermatogenesis in two patients. However, a ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12109040/

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Reproductive Medicine PRP therapy can enhance the ovarian response to stimulation during IVF, increasing the number and quality of eggs retrieved, thus improving IVF ...

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-02689-2

Comparative efficacy of single vs. double autologous ... This study aims to compare the efficacy of single versus double PRP ovarian injections in improving ovarian reserve, response to stimulation, and IVF/ICSI ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/330731824_The_Effectiveness_of_Autologous_Platelet-Rich_Plasma_PRP_in_the_Therapy_of_Infertile_Men_with_Non-Abstractive_Azoospermia

The Effectiveness of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma ... In clinical studies involving infertile men, PRP treatment has been associated with improved semen parameters, including increased sperm ...

5. cureus.com cureus.com/articles/295429-role-of-platelet-rich-plasma-in-the-management-of-non-obstructive-azoospermia

Role of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Management of Non- ... As demonstrated in animal models and human studies, PRP is a safe and effective method for improving male infertility [61,70]. Platelet-Rich ...

6. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/andr.12648

In vitro effect of autologous platelet‐rich plasma on H2O2‐ ... Findings from the present study showed that autologous PRP improves all sperm parameters, except cell morphology, more so in the presence of an ...