Antidepressants were linked to DNA damage in sperm

Drugs taken by millions of men to alleviate depression may affect their fertility, say US scientists.

A small number of healthy men given the antidepressant paroxetine for four weeks had far higher levels of sperm with damaged DNA.

The results, reported in New Scientist magazine, do not necessarily mean these men would have serious problems becoming a father.

However, a UK fertility specialist said they were a "cause for concern".

We would be worried if this study caused patients to stop their treatment and would urge anyone with concerns to consult their doctor

Paroxetine, sold as Seroxat or Paxil, is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in the UK.

This is the second study by a team of researchers at Cornell Medical Center in New York which points to a possible effect on sperm quality.

They recruited 35 healthy volunteers who provided sperm samples before and during paroxetine treatment.

Under the microscope, there appeared to be not much difference between the "before" and "after" samples, with the shape and movement of sperm apparently normal in both samples.

However, tests on "DNA fragmentation" produced a different result.

Some sperm with DNA problems can be found in every sample, and 13.8% of sperm cells in those produced before treatment were found to be fragmented.

However, at the four week mark, this had risen to 30.3%.

A key question is whether this change would be enough to affect overall fertility, or whether the remaining 70% of unaffected sperm would be enough to produce a viable pregnancy.

In couples undergoing IVF, studies have found that couples where the man's sperm has higher levels of DNA damage produce fewer embryos, and their embryos are less likely to implant successfully in the womb.

...............

I am damn glad that I take Paxil! Whoopee! Finally, a male contraceptive!