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Effect of phenytoin on semen
1Department of Anatomy and Neurology, AIIMS, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.
Epilepsia
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) like phenytoin (PHT) may negatively impact male fertility. Semen analysis revealed reduced sperm count and volume in treated and untreated patients compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Male patients on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) frequently report hyposexuality.
- Limited research exists on semen analysis for assessing reproductive outcomes in these patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of epilepsy and/or phenytoin (PHT) on the male reproductive system.
- To assess semen parameters and hormone levels in epileptic patients.
Main Methods:
- Semen analysis was performed on 55 epilepsy patients (42 on PHT, 13 untreated) and 28 controls.
- Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were analyzed in a subset of patients.
Main Results:
- Untreated and PHT-treated patients showed lower seminal fluid volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm count versus controls.
- Increased morphologically abnormal sperm were observed in untreated patients compared to PHT-treated and control groups.
- Lower testosterone levels were found in 9 patients, with elevated LH in one-third.
Conclusions:
- Epileptic seizures appear to affect the male reproductive system.
- Phenytoin (PHT) may have a minor additive negative effect on male reproductive health.