In vitro effects of antidepressants on human sperm function

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Pharmacology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Depression affects 280 million globally, increasing antidepressant use.
• Antidepressants are linked to sexual dysfunction, but male fertility effects are understudied.
• Fluoxetine and sertraline are widely prescribed serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of fluoxetine and sertraline on human sperm function.
• To assess sperm parameters at concentrations relevant to patient treatment.

Main Methods:

• Human sperm cells were exposed to fluoxetine or sertraline in vitro.
• Sperm functional parameters including motility, viability, ROS, and DNA integrity were assessed over 24 hours.

Main Results:

• Fluoxetine (low doses) decreased progressive sperm motility and affected ROS levels and capacitation.
• Sertraline had minimal impact at low doses but affected multiple parameters at high concentrations.
• Neither drug significantly impacted sperm viability, mitochondrial potential, acrosome reaction, or DNA integrity at therapeutic levels.

Conclusions:

• Both fluoxetine and sertraline may impair sperm function through distinct mechanisms.
• Fluoxetine demonstrated mild negative effects on sperm motility at in vivo concentrations.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of SSRIs on male reproductive health.