Impact of Antidepressants on Male Fertility and Seminal Parameters: A Systematic Review.

Abstract

Depressive disorders affect a significant number of individuals worldwide, including men of reproductive age. The impact of antidepressant treatment on seminal and fertility parameters remains inconclusive, with limited clinical studies available on this topic. This systematic review aimed to compile the existing literature on the influence of various antidepressants on sperm and fertility-related parameters in men. In April 2023, a bibliographic search was conducted using the PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Search terms included"fertility,""sperm,"and"semen,"combined with terms related to various antidepressants and their respective drugs. Clinical studies investigating fertility and/or semen parameters following antidepressant treatment in men were included. Studies outside the scope of this review were excluded. Data collected included details of the intervention and outcomes-such as the class of antidepressant, specific drug, dosage, duration of treatment, and age of subjects-along with data on sperm analysis and fertility-related parameters. This review included 5 articles focused on human studies. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most studied class of antidepressants. Findings on sperm-related impairment are conflicting. The available human studies are limited and often involve short-term treatment regimens, which may not accurately reflect the effects of long-term exposure. This work highlights the significant gap in reliable evidence regarding the effects of antidepressant drugs on seminal and fertility parameters in men of reproductive age.