Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2025
Author Spotlight: Creating a Versatile Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model Relevant for Both Male and Female Mice
Published on: October 13, 2023
Male Factor Infertility and Risk of Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Zahra Shahraki1, Aida Mohamadi2, Mohsen Rastkar3
1Zabol Medicinal Plants Research Center, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran.
Objective:
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of central nervous system (CNS). There are a few articles studying the risk factors of developing MS in men. Male infertility can stem from a range of etiological factors such as genetics or environment. In the context of MS, research suggests a potential link, possibly due to shared immunological and inflammatory mechanisms. Therefore, we designed this study to evaluate the relationship between male infertility and MS development.
Materials And Methods:
We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, web of science, Google scholar and gray literature including references of the references as well as conference papers which were published up to June 2021. The search strategy in PubMed was ("Infertility, Male"[Mesh] OR [Male Infertility] OR [Sterility, Male] OR [Male Sterility] OR [Subfertility, Male] OR [Male Subfertility] OR [Sub-Fertility, Male] OR [Male Sub-Fertility] OR [Sub Fertility, Male]) AND ("Multiple Sclerosis"[Mesh] OR [Sclerosis, Multiple] OR [Sclerosis, disseminated] OR [Disseminated Sclerosis] OR [MS] OR [Multiple Sclerosis, Acute Fulminating]) AND ("Testicular Diseases"[Mesh] OR [Disease, Testicular] OR [Diseases, Testicular] OR [Testicular Disease]) AND ("Multiple Sclerosis"[Mesh] OR [Sclerosis, Multiple] OR [Sclerosis, disseminated] OR [Disseminated Sclerosis] OR [Multiple Sclerosis, Acute Fulminating] OR [MS]).
Results:
The literature search revealed 197 articles, after deleting duplicates 109 remained. For the meta-analysis, 3 studies were included. Totally, 2090 MS cases as well as 3895562 healthy subjects were enrolled. One hundred and fourteen infertile men were in MS group and 139716 infertile men were in controls. The pooled OR for male factor infertility and odds of developing MS was1.87 (95% CI: 0.89-3.94) (I2=86.1%, P=0.001).
Conclusion:
The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis show that there is no relationship between male factor infertility and risk of MS.
Insights
This study found no significant link between male infertility and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Further research is needed to understand the complex factors contributing to MS development in men.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune CNS disease with limited research on male-specific risk factors.
- Male infertility arises from diverse genetic and environmental causes.
- Potential shared immunological pathways suggest a possible link between male infertility and MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the association between male factor infertility and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
- To synthesize existing evidence through a meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar) up to June 2021.
- Included studies focused on male infertility and multiple sclerosis, with specific search terms for both conditions and related factors.
- A meta-analysis was performed on 3 selected studies, encompassing 2090 MS cases and 3,895,562 controls.
Main Results:
- The literature search identified 109 unique articles, leading to the inclusion of 3 studies for meta-analysis.
- The analysis involved 2090 individuals with MS and 3,895,562 controls.
- The pooled odds ratio for male factor infertility and MS risk was 1.87 (95% CI: 0.89-3.94), with significant heterogeneity (I²=86.1%, P=0.001).
Conclusions:
- This systematic review and meta-analysis indicates no statistically significant relationship between male factor infertility and an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
- The observed association in the pooled analysis did not reach statistical significance, suggesting that male infertility is not a confirmed risk factor for MS.
- Further investigation may be warranted to explore potential indirect links or specific subgroups.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Infertility in Males
01:41Spermatogenesis