Recent news, as published in the journal “Fertility and Sterility,” have found a relation with the anti-impotence drug Viagra and the fertility level of men. It appears that Viagra reduces the fertility of men by decreasing the ability of their sperm to fertilize an egg. This is based on a study performed by researchers at Queen’s University Belfast.
Studies were performed under two different experiments to verify the effect of the widely used drug on sperm cells, if any. First, sperm samples were soaked in solutions with low concentrations of Viagra, with intending to reach the blood level obtained from dosing one 100 milligram Viagra pill. Researchers found that the human sperm that was bathed in the Viagra solution was more active, but, that the sperm cells also showed structural damage to their heads, known as acrosome. This part of the sperm cell has the enzymes necessary to enter the female egg’s membrane in order to fertilize it.
To be certain that the sperm damage really affected the rate in fertility, more studies were made in order to compare the fertility of two groups of mice, with only one been treated with the Viagra solution. Researchers found that mice in the Viagra sample group had a 40 percent lesser fertilized embryo rate than the mice in the control group without the drug.
David Glenn, one of the researchers, described that the fertility clinics that treat patients with Viagra could actually be hurting the fertility ratio of their clients by trying to increase low sperm counts.
Glenn said, “I think it is worrying that some fertilization clinics are medicating Viagra to elevate the fertility results.” He also, said, “Couples that go to the clinics for help, are, by definition, having problems to get pregnant in the first place. Treating male partners with something that could actually worsen the problem should not be the option of choice.”
David Glenn was also troubled with the long term aspects of the use of Viagra for recreation in the fertility of men.
Glenn said,” Viagra is now wide spread used as a recreational drug.” “It is also combined with cocaine, and sold in discotheques. Our research indicates the possibility that Viagra could even leave an added effect from its treatment that could offer a high risk of fertility problems later in life.”
Erectile Dysfunction
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