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Organo Oficial de la Sociedad Mexicana de Urología

2025, Number 5

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Rev Mex Urol 2025; 85 (5)

Effect of isotretinoin consumption on spermatogenesis and semen quality

Alzate AS, Cardona MWD

Language: Spanish
References: 39
Page: 1-11
PDF size: 402.84 Kb.


Text Extraction

Introduction: the use of isotretinoin, a derivative of vitamin A, to treat severe acne has been reported to have contradictory effects on spermatogenesis and semen quality. This literature review evaluates the impact of isotretinoin on semen quality.
Relevance & discussion: in humans, administration of isotretinoin at therapeutic doses has consistently shown improvement in semen parameters, increasing sperm concentration, motility, and viability. In contrast, studies in other animal models, mainly rats, show reproductive toxicity. Higher doses result in testicular degeneration, increased apoptosis, and reduced Sertoli and Leydig cell populations. Although the concentrations of isotretinoin detected in human semen are low, the known teratogenic potential of the drug highlights the importance of continuing to take strict precautions to prevent fetal exposure, given the severity of the associated congenital malformations.
Conclusion: in conclusion, isotretinoin has specific effects on semen quality, and although better results are observed in humans using low therapeutic doses, data obtained in animal models with high doses suggest possible adverse effects on the reproductive system.


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