title: Reversible toxic effect of salicylazosulfapyridine on semen quality.
abstract: The semen qualities of six patients with salicylazosulfapyridine-treated chronic ulcerative colitis are discussed. Over-all poor parameters were observed during the treatment period. Reduced motility and a shift in morphology were the most significant abnormalities in the specimens. A characteristic megalo cell type occurred in the morphology with a frequency of 3% to 8%. In three patients when no medical contraindication existed, discontinuation of the drug resulted in a dramatic improvement in the semen quality, and all three reported pregnancies within the ensuing 3 months. A possible reversible toxic effect of salicylazosulfapyridine on semen quality is discussed.
mesh_terms: D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012460:Sulfasalazine