The possible deleterious effects of folic acid antagonist methotrexate on the fertility potential have been investigated in 26 male psoriatic patients. Examination for semen, testicular histology, and spermatogenic function using radioactive phosphorus revealed that methotrexate had no unfavorable effect on male fertility. A long follow up of the patients and their offspring is needed to exclude the possible teratogenic effect of the drug.

A clinical investigative study of 148 male leprous patients demonstrated the presence of testicular lesions in 35 cases. Semen analysis revealed marked oligo-athenozoospermia in 10 cases and azoospermia in 25 cases. Testicular biopsies from leprous testes showed different histologic patterns ranging from spermatogenic arrest to complete hyalinization of both seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue. Histochemical staining for neurovascular supply revealed degenerative nerve change in addition to altered permeability of the testicular capillaries. There was good correlation between the results of semen analyses and histological and histochemical examination of testicular biopsies.