Andrology: Deleterious effects of khat addiction on semen parameters and sperm ultrastructure

Abstract

The semen parameters and sperm ultrastructural morphology have been described in semen samples from two groups of Yemeni subjects. The first 'exposed' group comprised 65 khat addicts, while the second control group included 50 non-khat addict subjects. The mean age was 39.94 +/- 13.85 and 35.72 +/- 11.35 years in the exposed and control groups respectively, without a significant difference. The mean duration of khat addiction among the addicts was 25.34 +/- 12.96 years (range 6.00-48.00). Statistically significant differences were detected between the semen parameters of the two groups. Such parameters, including semen volume, sperm count, sperm motility, motility index and percentage of normal spermatozoa, were lower among addicts. Significant negative correlation was also found between the duration of khat consumption and all semen parameters (r ranged from -0.30 to -0.74). At the transmission electron microscopy level, a counting system was incorporated to compare the numbers of normal spermatozoa with deformed and dead spermatozoa in ultrathin plastic sections. The total mean percentage of deformed spermatozoa was approximately 65%. Different patterns of sperm deformation were demonstrated, and included both the head and flagella in complete spermatozoa, aflagellate heads, headless flagella and multiple heads and flagella. Deformed heads showed aberrated nuclei with immature nuclear chromatin and polymorphic intranuclear inclusions; these were associated with acrosomal defects. The deformed flagella demonstrated numeric aberrations of the axonemal 9 + 2 configuration and structural defects of their associated elements. Persistent cytoplasmic droplets were observed frequently. This study has shown for the first time the deleterious effects of khat addiction on semen parameters in general and sperm morphology in particular of all addicts, especially those who have consumed khat for longer periods of time.

Short-Term Effects of High-Dose Khat on Sperm Parameters and Reproductive Hormonal Levels in Olive Baboons <b><i>(Papio anubis)</i></b>

“…Prior to this study there were no studies on the effect of khat on sperm parameters in baboons. Studies in humans suggest decreased sperm motility and count in khat-chewing individuals but these studies lack a control sperm sample before khat administration [4,13]. Our data confirm previous findings in rats [24] showing a significant decrease in sperm count and motility in cathinone (the active ingredient of khat) treated animals in a dose-dependent manner (with an increasing dose producing the highest effect).…”

“…Subsequently, baboons were given 250 g of khat orally twice via a feeding tube weekly (Monday and Friday) under anesthesia consisting of 1.2 ml/kg body weight of a mixture of 10% ketamine HCl (Kepro BV, Deventer, The Netherlands) and 2% xylazine agar (Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd., Glendenning, N.S.W., Australia) during 1 month. This dose of khat was selected in order to mimic the khat dose of 500 g weekly used by addicted users [4,13]. …”

“…While some reports indicate that khat can be used as an aphrodisiac and medication for premature ejaculation [11], others are contradictory and reported impairment of sexuality, loss of libido and inability to maintain erection and low sperm count [12,13,14]. Furthermore, khat consumption has been associated with sperm nuclei aberrations and DNA impairment [13,14,15,16]. The majority of the studies in humans have been conducted in fertility clinic settings, in regions with widespread use of the stimulant.…”

“…However, this study did not address the effect of khat on addicted chewers who consume up to double this amount (i.e. 500 g/week) [4,13]. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that weekly exposure to a high dose of khat during 1 month reduces sperm quality and plasma male reproductive hormonal levels.…”

Ultrastructure of Spermatozoa from Infertility Patients

“…The percentage of spermatozoa with ultrastructural tail defects is significantly higher in patients with asthenozoospermia. Ultrastructural defects of the tail axoneme were described in drug addicts [85]. Yet smoking and alcohol drinking were not found to affect the ultrastructural parameters of mature spermatozoa, lower sperm counts observed in alcoholics and smokers suggest testicular selection [86].…”