Effect of Indomethacin on Semen of Infertile Men

Abstract

The effects of long term administration of the prostaglandin inhibitor, Indomethacin, on semen, in 22 infertile men with severe oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia have been studied. Quantitative assessment of semen in the whole group showed improved sperm motility (P < 0.05), normal morphology (P < 0.05) and concentration (P < 0.002) after treatment. Individual qualitative evaluation of semen parameters showed improvement in sperm count in one third and improved motility and morphology in 18 per cent of the patients. It would seem that Indomethacin has a beneficial effect on semen in some men with idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia. It remains to be elucidated whether these effects are related to changes in prostaglandin levels.

The Effect of Indomethacin on the Sperm Motility of Adult Wistar Rats

“…The results of the study showed that the control group had a higher number of active sperm cells compared to the groups where indomethacin administration occurred. This finding is consistent with previous research that has found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can decrease sperm motility [10]. The decrease in active sperm cells may be due to the fact that indomethacin inhibits the production of prostaglandins, which are important for maintaining sperm motility.…”

Functional Activity of Mouse Sperm Was Not Affected by Low Doses of Aspirin-Like Drugs

“…Among other chemicals known to cause reproductive damage, substances that interfere with arachidonate metabolism, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAD), are included [13,22,23,28]. Although these agents are widely used for the treatment of frequent diseases, such as muscular pain, headache, and rheumatoid arthritis, there is no conclusive knowledge about their effects on sperm functional activity.…”

Pharmacokinetics of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in male rabbits after acute and chronic administration and effect of chronic treatment on seminal prostaglandins, sperm quality and fertility

“…In mice, spermatogenesis is increased by prolonged treatment with acetylsalicylic acid (100 or 200 mg/kg twice daily for 15 days) or indomethacin (1 mg/kg/day for 15 days) (Abbatiello et al, 1975). In oligospermic patients, chronic treatment with indomethacin or ketoprofen increased seminal sperm concentrations (Padrón & Nodarse, 1979;Barkay et ai, 1984), whereas in normospermic volunteers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs had no effect on sperm density or total sperm output (Freixa et al, 1984; (Boyd, 1970;Jacqueson et al, 1984;Neumann, 1984), but this is apparently a non-specific part of a toxicity syndrome known from many drugs and chemicals which exert no effects on PG synthesis (Neumann, 1984). Testicular prostaglandins seem to reduce spermatogenesis also in rabbits as indicated by data showing that intrascrotal deposition of PGF-2a caused a significant reduction in sperm number per ejaculate and induced temporary sterility (Saksena & Lau, 1979).…”

“…Administration of naproxen to volun¬ teers for 2 weeks also did not significantly influence sperm motility, although the concentration of seminal PGs was reduced by more than 70% (Bendvold et ai, 1985). In oligospermic patients, chronic treatment with indomethacin or ketoprofen even increased sperm motility (Padrón & Nodarse, 1979;Barkay et ai, 1984). In fact, as in the present experiments with phenylbutazone, treatment with indomethacin and ketoprofen seemed to increase male fertility (Barkay et al, 1984) and it was suggested that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have a beneficial effect in the therapy of male infertility (Padrón & Nodarse, 1979;Barkay et al, 1984).…”

“…In oligospermic patients, chronic treatment with indomethacin or ketoprofen even increased sperm motility (Padrón & Nodarse, 1979;Barkay et ai, 1984). In fact, as in the present experiments with phenylbutazone, treatment with indomethacin and ketoprofen seemed to increase male fertility (Barkay et al, 1984) and it was suggested that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have a beneficial effect in the therapy of male infertility (Padrón & Nodarse, 1979;Barkay et al, 1984). The antifertility effect of high doses of indomethacin determined previously in mice (Marley & Smith, 1974) and rats (Löscher & Blazaki, 1986) may be unrelated to PG content and synthesis, since it is known that, at high concentrations, this drug inhibits various other enzymic processes (Flower, 1974).…”