Anti-depressant Drugs Impair Male Fertility

Regular use of anti-depressants - drugs that ease depressiondefine symptoms - may impair a man’s sperm quality which could hinder his ability to father children, a new study warns.

Moreover, a dosage of merely a few weeks doubles the amount of damage to the DNA in sperm, researchers at the Cornell Medical Centre in New York have found.

To examine the effects of paroxetine (Seroxat) – a popular anti-depressant manufactured and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline – the researchers enrolled 35 healthy men.

The participants were administered a daily dose of paroxetine (Seroxat) for four weeks. Also, their sperm quality –based on shape, mobility and quantity – was recorded, both before and after the course of treatment.

While apparently all samples seemed healthy, a closer examination revealed that on an average 13.8 percent of the sperm cells had damaged DNA before the start of study.

However, the proportion of DNA damage rose from 13.8 percent to 30.3 percent within four weeks of treatment, the researchers found.

According to infertility experts, DNA damage as high as this affects the formation of embryos and their ability to implant in the womb to create a successful pregnancy.

"Anti-depressant treatment slows sperm through the male reproductive system, which may give it more time to develop flaws" they averred.

However, despite alarming results, Steve Field, Chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners noted, “patients shouldn't stop their antidepressants, but those who are depressed and experiencing fertility difficulties should consult their doctors.”

Sudden withdrawal of anti-depressants could increase the risk of suicide. Also, it is linked to mood swings, nightmares and personality changes, study’s lead researchers, Peter Schlegel, Professor at the Cornell Medical Centre in New York warned.

Meanwhile, Janet Morgan, spokeswomen for GlaxoSmithKline, said, "We are reviewing the findings". She further added, “We take seriously our responsibility to ensure our medicines are used safely."

The trial results will be presented in November at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in San Francisco.