Post interferon therapy decreases male fertility through gonadotoxic effect

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Endocrinology
• Reproductive Medicine

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects over 15% of the Pakistani population.
• Interferon and ribavirin, approved in 1998, are primary HCV treatments.
• Long-term extrahepatic side effects of HCV therapy are often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of interferon therapy on male fertility in HCV patients.
• To assess changes in fertility hormones and seminal parameters after HCV treatment.
• To evaluate the relationship between HCV treatment and induced infertility.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 40 male HCV patients treated between 2008-2015.
• Measurement of serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and testosterone levels.
• Assessment of seminal parameters according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Main Results:

• Only 35% of treated HCV patients had children; 65% could not conceive (p=0.0372).
• Significant changes observed in FSH and LH levels post-HCV treatment (p<0.05).
• Interferon therapy led to decreased testosterone levels (p=0.0096), sperm count (p=0.001), and motility (p=0.0005).

Conclusions:

• HCV treatment, particularly with interferon, is associated with male infertility.
• Interferon therapy negatively affects key fertility hormones and sperm quality.
• Further research is needed to address long-term fertility concerns in HCV patients.