title: Seminal fluid analysis and testicular volume in adults with epilepsy receiving valproate.
abstract: Epilepsy and its medications adversely affect reproductive and sexual functions and fertility. This study aimed to assess sperm parameters and testicular volume in men with epilepsy on valproate (VPA). Included were 55 patients with idiopathic epilepsy with a mean age of 31.86 ± standard deviation (SD) 6.55 years, mean illness duration of 12.50 ± SD 5.10 years, and a mean treatment time of 9.55 ± SD 0.85 years. Sex hormone profile, semen analysis, testicular volume and total seminal plasma carnitine were determined. Compared to controls, patients had lower levels of free testosterone (p<0.01), sperm concentration (p<0.0001) and count (p<0.0001), carnitine (p<0.01), and testicular volume (p<0.01), and higher rates of immotile sperm (p<0.001) and abnormal forms (p<0.0001). Significant correlations were identified between sperm count, motility, immotile sperm, abnormal forms, testicular volume, carnitine levels and duration of illness, duration of treatment with VPA and VPA dose. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that duration of treatment with VPA, sperm count, motility and abnormal forms were significantly associated with seminal plasma carnitine. Long-term VPA treatment is adversely associated with reduced sperm count and motility, increased abnormal sperm count and reduced testicular volume. This may contribute to reduced fertility.
authors: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Floor 7, Room 4, Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, Assiut University Hospital, P.O. Box 71516, Assiut, Egypt. Electronic address: hamed_sherifa@yahoo.com.
authors: Sherifa A
authors: SA
authors: Hamed
authors: Department of Radiology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt.
authors: Ehab M M
authors: EM
authors: Moussa
authors: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Floor 7, Room 4, Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, Assiut University Hospital, P.O. Box 71516, Assiut, Egypt.
authors: Amal M
authors: AM
authors: Tohamy
authors: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Floor 7, Room 4, Hospital of Neurology and Psychiatry, Assiut University Hospital, P.O. Box 71516, Assiut, Egypt.
authors: Khaled O
authors: KO
authors: Mohamed
authors: Department of Andrology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt.
authors: Mohamad E
authors: ME
authors: Mohamad
authors: Department of Clinical Pathology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt.
authors: Tahra M K
authors: TM
authors: Sherif
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
authors: Mostafa M
authors: MM
authors: Abdellah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D013739:Testosterone; D014635:Valproic Acid
keywords: Carnitine; Epilepsy; Seminal fluid; Testicular volume; Valproate