title: [Colchicine has no negative effect on fertility and pregnancy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To inventorise the possible development of infertility and pregnancy complications in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), on treatment with colchicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed was searched for articles in English, describing the effects of colchicine on fertility and pregnancy in animals or humans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found 73 articles, 13 of which matched the inclusion criteria. We selected another 12 articles via cross references and after evaluation by the co-authors. From these articles it appeared that colchicine inhibits the clinical symptoms of FMF and the development of amyloid deposits. No statistically significant effect was found of colchicine treatment on semen quality or hormone levels. Treatment with colchicine during pregnancy did not lead to severe complications. Both male and female patients who were treated with colchicine had a better prospect of maintaining fertility, compared with patients without this treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the literature selected, colchicine use has no demonstrable negative effect on fertility. If untreated, FMF itself can lead to amyloid deposits in the testis and ovary, resulting in infertility. Patients with FMF may safely continue to use colchicine throughout the reproductive phase of their life.
authors.affiliation: Erasmus MC, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Both
authors.forename: Jan A M
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: van Laar
authors.forename: Femke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonte-Mineur
authors.forename: P Martin
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: van Hagen
authors.forename: Paul L A
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: van Daele
mesh_terms: D003078:Colchicine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000187:drug effects*; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects*; D050257:Tubulin Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D050257:Tubulin Modulators; D003078:Colchicine