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Association Between Antibiotic Exposure and the Risk of Male Infertility: A Case-Control Study
Friday E Okonofua1,2, Lorretta Favour C Ntoimo2,3, Titus A M Msagati4
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, University of Benin, Benin City 300213, Nigeria.
Abstract:
Irregular use of antibiotics is widespread in Nigeria, which has been reported to be associated with the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. As antibiotics have been reported to be associated with declining male infertility in animal models, we investigated the association between exposure to antibiotics and sperm quality. The study was a prospective case-control study involving 136 infertile men and 154 fertile men recruited from five hospitals in southern Nigeria. Semen analysis was carried out, while Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry was used to assay for various antibiotics in urinary samples. Three antibiotics showed an independent association with sperm quality in the regression analysis. Urinary ampicillin was associated with more than a 3 mL decline in sperm count in the cases, with no significant effects shown in the control group. Similarly, a significant association of urinary chloramphenicol with sperm motility and sperm morphology was shown in cases of infertility. In contrast, an independent association of urinary tetracycline with increased sperm motility in men with infertility was found, but no significant association was shown in fertile men. We conclude that urinary antibiotics-ampicillin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol-may be associated with varying sperm characteristics and sperm quality in Nigerian men.
Insights
Antibiotic exposure in Nigeria is linked to male infertility. Specific antibiotics like ampicillin and chloramphenicol negatively impacted sperm quality, while tetracycline showed a positive association in infertile men.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Pharmacology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Irregular antibiotic use is prevalent in Nigeria, contributing to antibiotic resistance.
- Antibiotics have been implicated in declining male fertility in animal studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between antibiotic exposure and sperm quality in Nigerian men.
- To determine if specific antibiotics correlate with infertility-related sperm characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Prospective case-control study involving 136 infertile and 154 fertile men.
- Semen analysis was performed.
- Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) assayed urinary antibiotic levels.
Main Results:
- Urinary ampicillin was associated with a significant decline in sperm count among infertile men.
- Urinary chloramphenicol showed significant associations with reduced sperm motility and morphology in infertile cases.
- Urinary tetracycline was independently associated with increased sperm motility in infertile men.
Conclusions:
- Urinary ampicillin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline may be associated with varying sperm characteristics and overall sperm quality in Nigerian men.
- Findings highlight potential environmental factors impacting male reproductive health in the region.
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