2017-03-01
Effect of Medications for Gastric Acid-Related Symptoms on Total Motile Sperm Count and Concentration: A Case–Control Study in Men of Subfertile Couples from the Netherlands
Publication
Publication
Drug Safety , Volume 40 - Issue 3 p. 241- 248
Introduction: Gastric acid-related symptoms are highly prevalent in the general population (21–40%), and more than 11% of individuals use medication for the treatment of these symptoms. The uptake of micronutrients is dependent on the gastrointestinal potential of hydrogen (pH). Objective: We hypothesized that medication affecting gastrointestinal pH reduces the availability of B vitamins, thereby deranging one-carbon metabolism and detrimentally affecting spermatogenesis. Methods: This explorative nested case–control study in men of subfertile couples investigated associations between medication used for gastric acid-related symptoms and semen parameters. We included 40 men using medication for gastric acid-related symptoms and 843 men not using medication. Semen analyses were performed between 70 days before and 21 days after the visit. Results: The use of medication was associated with a twofold higher risk of a low total motile sperm count [TMSC <1 × 106, odds ratio (OR) 2.090, p = 0.049] and negatively with sperm concentration (β −0.320, p = 0.028). Red blood cell folate was positively associated with TMSC (β 0.257, p = 0.026), sperm count (β 1.679, p = 0.013) and ejaculate volume (β 0.120, p = 0.023), and total homocysteine (tHcy) was negatively associated with sperm count (β −0.077, p = 0.021). Conclusion: Here we delineate associations between the use of medication for gastric acid-related symptoms and poor semen quality in men of subfertile couples. The use of medication for gastric acid-related symptoms is associated with a twofold higher risk of a low TMSC and a decreased sperm concentration. Although these findings warrant further research on causality, the associations between folate, tHcy and semen quality emphasize the importance of preconception counselling in male subfertility.
| Additional Metadata | |
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| doi.org/10.1007/s40264-016-0488-8, hdl.handle.net/1765/95049 | |
| Drug Safety | |
| Organisation | Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics |
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Otte-Huijgen, N., Goijen, H.J. (Hedwig J.), Twigt, J., Mulders, A., Lindemans, J., Dohle, G., … Steegers-Theunissen, R. (2017). Effect of Medications for Gastric Acid-Related Symptoms on Total Motile Sperm Count and Concentration: A Case–Control Study in Men of Subfertile Couples from the Netherlands. Drug Safety, 40(3), 241–248. doi:10.1007/s40264-016-0488-8 |
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