Is there a role for PDE5 inhibitors in the management of male infertility due to defects in testicular or epididymal function?
This review study refers to the possibility to employ PDE5 inhibitors as an adjunct tool for the therapeutic management of male infertility. The literature tends to suggest that PDE5 inhibitors enhance the Leydig cell secretory function and play a role in the regulation of the contractility of the tunica albuginea and the epididymis. In addition, the literature suggests that PDE5 inhibitors increase the prostatic secretory function that results in an improvement in sperm motility in several cases. Some studies additionally demonstrate a role of PDE5 inhibitors in the regulation of sperm capacitation process. Additional placebo-controlled, randomized, blind studies are necessary to unequivocally suggest a therapeutic role of PDE5 inhibitors in the alleviation of semen disorders and male infertility.
Laboratory of Molecular Urology and Genetics of Human Reproduction, Department of Urology, Ioannina University School of Medicine, Ioannina, Greece.
F
F
Dimitriadis
P
P
Tsounapi
M
M
Saito
T
T
Watanabe
A
A
Sylakos
S
S
Tsabalas
I
I
Miyagawa
N
N
Sofikitis
D020101:Acrosome Reaction / Q000187:drug effects; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004822:Epididymis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000378:metabolism; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013075:Sperm Capacitation / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*
D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; D006152:Cyclic GMP