Search resultsDoes alcohol have any effect on male reproductive function? A review of literature
Title
Does alcohol have any effect on male reproductive function? A review of literature
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2013
Authors
Journal
Asian Journal of Andrology
Volume
15
Issue
2
Pagination
221 - 225
Date published
2013
ISBN
1008682X (ISSN)
Keywords
alcohol, alcohol consumption, Alcohol Drinking, alcohol withdrawal, Alcoholism, Animals, beta endorphin, cell DNA, cell viability, CpG island, desquamation, Ethanol, Female, female fertility, follitropin, genetic association, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, hormone release, HPT, human, Humans, hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, Infertility, Male, luteinizing hormone, male, male fertility, male genital system function, male infertility, Mice, nonhuman, Pregnancy, Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects, progeny, reproduction, reproductive function, review, semen analysis, sperm parameters, spermatogenesis, spermatozoon density, spermatozoon motility, teratozoospermia, testosterone 17beta dehydrogenase
Abstract
Although alcohol is widely used, its impact on the male reproductive function is still controversial. Over the years, many studies have investigated the effects of alcohol consumption on sperm parameters and male infertility. This article reviews the main preclinical and clinical evidences. Studies conducted on the experimental animal have shown that a diet enriched with ethanol causes sperm parameter abnormalities, a number of alterations involving the reproductive tract inhibition, and reduced mouse oocyte in vitro fertilization rate. These effects were partly reversible upon discontinuation of alcohol consumption. Most of the studies evaluating the effects of alcohol in men have shown a negative impact on the sperm parameters. This has been reported to be associated with hypotestosteronemia and low-normal or elevated gonadotropin levels suggesting a combined central and testicular detrimental effect of alcohol. Nevertheless, alcohol consumption does not seem to have much effect on fertility either in in vitro fertilization programs or population-based studies. Finally, the genetic background and other concomitant, alcohol consumption-related conditions influence the degree of the testicular damage. In conclusion, alcohol consumption is associated with a deterioration of sperm parameters which may be partially reversible upon alcohol consumption discontinuation.