Table 1. Systematic lupus erythematosus and male fertility according to gonadal dysfunction, immunosuppressive agents, anti-sperm antibody and sex chromosomes aneuploid.
| Author | Year | Study Population | Results | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gonadal dysfunction | ||||
|
| ||||
| Soares et al. (12) | 2007 | 35 patients with SLE and 35 normal controls | SLE patients had low sperm count, low motile sperm and low normal sperm forms / Sperm abnormalities related to elevated FSH levels | Gonad function is severely affected in male SLE patients due to testicular damage |
| Suehiro et al. (13) | 2008 | 34 patients with SLE | 23% had decreased inhibin B and elevated FSH, 15% had decreased testosterone, 70% sperm analysis alterations, 20% reduced testicular volume | Sertoli cell dysfunction in male SLE affecting inhibin B secretion. It was related to impaired sperm production |
| Silva et al. (14) | 2009 | 25 patients with SLE and 25 normal controls | 20% SLE patients had erectile dysfunction, 36% had elevated FSH and 48% had sperm abnormalities | SLE affects whole male reproductive health, particularly under CYC / No influence of ASA |
|
| ||||
| Testicular damage immunosuppressive agents | ||||
|
| ||||
| Silva et al. (15) | 2002 | 4 patients with juvenile SLE | 1 patient with azoospermia and elevated FSH / 1 patient with severe oligospermia. Both treated with CYC | Alkylating agents may induce testicular damage |
|
| ||||
| Presence of anti-sperm antibody | ||||
|
| ||||
| D'Cruz et al. (16) | 1994 | 33 patients with SLE, 33 patients with ASA and 20 normal controls | 42% patients with SLE had ASA | ASA has high frequency in SLE patients |
| Shiraishi et al. (17) | 2008 | 32 patients with RA, 14 with BD, 8 with SLE and 80 healthy controls | 13% SLE patients had ASA | SLE may induce ASA in patients and affect fertility |
|
| ||||
| Presence of sex chromosomes aneuploid | ||||
|
| ||||
| Dillon et al. (18) | 2012 | 316 patients with SLE | 8 patients with sex chromosomes alterations | Sex chromosomes aneuploid is more common in SLE men and may impact their fertility |
Note: SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus; LH = luteinizing hormone; FSH = follicle-stimulating hormone; CYC = cyclophosphamide; RA = rheumathoid arthritis; ASA = antisperm antibody, BD = Behçet disease.