Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: A Simple and Cost-Effective Method for Leukocyte Analysis in Semen
04:36

Author Spotlight: A Simple and Cost-Effective Method for Leukocyte Analysis in Semen

Published on: January 19, 2024

5.7K

Male fertility and skin diseases

M Badawy Abdel-Naser1,2, Christos C Zouboulis3

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Andrology and STIs, Ain Shams University, 4 Al Rahman Tower, El Sawah Square, Cairo, 11281, Egypt. abdelnasermb@yahoo.com.

Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders
|June 26, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Skin diseases, both inherited (genodermatoses) and acquired, can significantly impact male fertility through various mechanisms. Managing these conditions requires careful consideration of effects on the male reproductive system.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Skin diseases encompass a range of genodermatoses and acquired conditions.
  • Several genodermatoses impact male reproductive organs, causing cryptorchidism and hypogonadism.
  • Acquired dermatological conditions like infections, autoimmune disorders, and malignancies can also impair male fertility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of genodermatoses and acquired skin diseases on male fertility.
  • To highlight specific syndromes and conditions affecting male reproductive health.
  • To discuss the implications of skin disease therapeutics on male fertility.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of genodermatoses and acquired skin diseases affecting male fertility.
  • Categorization of conditions based on etiology (genetic vs. acquired) and clinical presentation.
  • Analysis of common mechanisms of infertility, including orchitis, obstruction, and hormonal disruption.

Main Results:

  • Genodermatoses like deSanctis-Cacchione, poikiloderma congenital, H syndrome, Rud syndrome, and trichothiodystrophy are linked to male infertility.
  • Acquired conditions such as leprosy, HIV, sarcoidosis, and zinc deficiency can lead to orchitis or epididymal obstruction.
  • Therapeutics like methotrexate, irradiation, and antiandrogens (spironolactone, finasteride) adversely affect male fertility.

Conclusions:

  • Skin diseases, though often rare, pose a significant challenge to male reproductive health.
  • Management of skin conditions must integrate assessment and care for the male reproductive system.
  • Further research is needed to understand and mitigate the fertility impacts of dermatological disorders and their treatments.
Keywords:
Acquired dermatosesGenodermatosesMale fertilitySkin disease

More Related Videos

Studying Chronic Exposure of Mice to Ultraviolet B Radiation03:20

Studying Chronic Exposure of Mice to Ultraviolet B Radiation

Published on: August 19, 2025

2.2K
Mouse Round Spermatid Injection08:41

Mouse Round Spermatid Injection

Published on: January 26, 2024

1.6K

Related Concept Videos

Infertility in Males01:23

Infertility in Males

Male infertility affects millions of couples worldwide, arising from various factors that impact different stages of the reproductive process. An endocrine imbalance resulting from conditions like hypogonadism, Klinefelter syndrome, or pituitary disorders can disrupt hormone levels and reduce sperm production. Testicular defects, such as tumors, cryptorchidism, atrophic testes, abnormal sperm morphology, and low sperm count or motility, may arise due to genetic factors, structural...
657
Spermatogenesis01:41

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
124.4K
Disorders of the Male Reproductive System01:20

Disorders of the Male Reproductive System

Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....
5.4K
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
6.1K
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
4.1K
Acne Infection01:27

Acne Infection

Acne is a multifactorial skin condition primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, with a global prevalence estimated to exceed 75% in this demographic. The condition is characterized by the formation of comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules, pustules, nodules, and, in severe cases, cysts, particularly in areas rich in sebaceous glands such as the face, neck, chest, and back. The pathogenesis involves increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by...
1