title: Sulphasalazine-induced reversible male infertility.
abstract: A male patient suffering from ulcerative colitis, presented with primary infertility due to sulphasalazine therapy. Sulphasalazine was discontinued and the patient was treated with a 5-aminosalicylic acid preparation (Salofalk) in the form of an enema. After 3 months, the semen quality was dramatically improved and a successful pregnancy ensued. The sulphapyridine moiety of sulphasalazine seems to be responsible for male infertility and depressed semen quality. The metabolite 5-aminosalicylic acid is proposed as a suitable alternative to sulphasalazine in cases of male infertility.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Delaere
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Strijbos
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Meuleman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D013739:Testosterone; D019804:Mesalamine; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone