AUTHOR=Xu Jiarong , He Kancheng , Zhou Yihong , Zhao Liangyu , Lin Yuteng , Huang Zihao , Xie Nengqing , Yue Jihui , Tang Yuxin 

TITLE=The effect of SSRIs on Semen quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.911489

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2022.911489

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p>Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used for a variety of diseases, and their impact on semen quality is unclear. We performed a systematic search in PubMed and Embase, and after a strict screening, we included 4 studies with a total of 222 male participants. In result, SSRIs reduced normal sperm morphology (95% CI [−16.29, −3.77], <italic>p</italic> = 0.002), sperm concentration (95%CI [−43.88, −4.18], <italic>p</italic> = 0.02), sperm motility (95%CI [−23.46, −0.47], <italic>p</italic> = 0.04) and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) (95% CI [6.66,21.93], <italic>p</italic> = 0.0002), without a statistically significant effect on semen volume (95%CI [−0.75,0.65], <italic>p</italic> = 0.89). Moreover, the impact on both sperm morphology and sperm concentration were observed within the 3-month period of SSRIs use. In general, our meta-analysis showed that SSRIs have a negative effect on semen quality. More larger, randomized, well-controlled clinical studies should be conducted to support our conclusion.</p>