An important finding has been made by Cornell Medical Center, New York, that points to the possible side-effects of anti-depressants on men's fertility. Two men were used as a sample for the study by Cornell on tests conducted over a two year period.
During this time, both men were treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Citalopram (Cipramil) or Sertraline (Lustral). These medicines are in the same league as Prozac and Seroxat, renowned and successful antidepressants marketed in the UK.
The study revealed that both men suffered from a drop in sperm count to almost zero after taking the medicines. The sperm count recovered to normal levels after the same medicines were discontinued. Cornell Medical Centre found the same occurrence with 12 more men at the clinic though the impact of the medicines was less severe in them.
While Cornell Medical Centre has issued a warning, doctors have advised men to consult their GPs before taking any decision about discontinuing anti-depressants. Leading people in the medical fraternity have also appreciated the importance of the findings made by Cornell Medical Centre. "There are only two patients, so you have to be careful, but this is very interesting work," said Allan Pacey, senior lecturer in andrology at Sheffield University.
"It's a well designed study, with sequential measurements of sperm count and quality in the same people. These were measured while the men were on the drug and off the drug, and there seems to be a major correlation. This is something we should go out and look at in a lot more detail. Maybe this is an unknown side effect of this drug that is only just coming to light."
Prof Schlegel who led the study conducted on the two men observed “It's a dramatic effect and it has never been described before. We believe that while it has had a profound effect on these two men, it could be having a significant but more subtle effect on many more." More importantly, this could be adversely impacting couples who plan to have children.
While making his presentation at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference in New Orleans, Prof.Schegel said "We know these drugs act on nerve endings, and it looks as though they are acting on the nerves in the vas deferens, the tube that should transport sperm to the prostate just before ejaculation," said Prof Schlegel, who presented his research at the yesterday.
"These individuals still ejaculate normally, but the sperm are not being transported. There are almost no sperm coming out."
It remains critical to find out how large a role anti-depressants play in affecting men's fertility. Particularly since the demand for anti-depressants has risen tremendously and prescription of Seroxat was close to 19m only for the year of 2004.
