Sulphasalazine-induced reversible male infertility

Acta Urol Belg. 1989;57(1):29-33.

Abstract

A male patient suffering from ulcerative colitis, presented with primary infertility due to sulphasalazine therapy. Sulphasalazine was discontinued and the patient was treated with a 5-aminosalicylic acid preparation (Salofalk) in the form of an enema. After 3 months, the semen quality was dramatically improved and a successful pregnancy ensued. The sulphapyridine moiety of sulphasalazine seems to be responsible for male infertility and depressed semen quality. The metabolite 5-aminosalicylic acid is proposed as a suitable alternative to sulphasalazine in cases of male infertility.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aminosalicylic Acids / therapeutic use
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / drug therapy
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / chemically induced*
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Male
  • Mesalamine
  • Sperm Count / drug effects
  • Sperm Motility / drug effects
  • Sulfasalazine / adverse effects*
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Aminosalicylic Acids
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Testosterone
  • Mesalamine
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone