Effect of epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs on male reproductive health

Abstract

CBZ, OXC, and VPA are associated with sperm abnormalities in men with epilepsy. In addition, VPA-treated men with generalized epilepsy who have abnormal sperm may have reduced testicular volume.

Momordica cochinchinensis (L.) Spreng: Aril Extract Prevents Adverse Reproductive Parameters of Male Rats Induced with Valproic Acid

“…Particularly, VPA causes adverse effects of male reproductive parameter in human and animals. Previous studies have shown that the testosterone levels and semen qualities of epileptic men being treated with VPA significantly decreased (Herzog, 2008;Bauer et al, 2004;Isojärvi et al, 2004;Roste et al 2003). Bauer et al have suggested that such adverse effects involved male infertility.…”

Phyllanthus emblica L. Branch Extract Ameliorates Testicular Damage in Valproic Acid-Induced Rats

“…Moreover, VPA affects male reproductive system in both men and experimental animals. In the epileptic men treated with VPA, their testosterone levels and semen qualities have been significantly decreased (Herzog, 2008;Bauer et al, 2004;Isojärvi et al, 2004;Sveberg Roste et al, 2002) involving infertility (Bauer et al). In animals, VPA significantly decreases FSH, LH, and testosterone hormones with testicular damages (Khan et al, 2011;Krogenase et al, 2008;Hamza & Amin, 2007;Svenberg Roste et al;Nishimura et al, 2000).…”

Ghrelin Regulation in Epilepsy

“…Other common forms of reproductive dysfunctions in women with epilepsy include: hypothalamic amenorrhea with low gonadotropin and estrogen levels and diminished luteinizing hormone (LH) response to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (Herzog et al, 1986), poly-or oligo-menorrhea, hirsutism, functional hyperprolactinemia with galactorrhea, sub-or infertility and premature menopause (Bauer & Cooper-Mahkorn, 2008). Decreased libido, abnormal semen analysis with reduced sperm count, abnormal sperm morphology and impaired motility and reduced fertility have also been overrepresented in males with epilepsy (Isojarvi et al, 2004). Antiepileptic drugs, as well as seizures, seem to contribute to these sexual and reproductive dysfunctions.…”

“…These alterations are likely related to a liver enzyme induction, which leads to an increase of the sex hormone-binding globulin and a reduction of the bioavailability of serum-free sex hormone levels in both genders (Opaleke & Helmers, 2007). In contrast, testosterone and androgens are elevated in association with valproate treatments (Herzog et al, 2006;Isojarvi et al, 2004). Clinical data on gonads dysfunctions led to investigate the role of sex hormones on epilepsy mechanisms.…”