The effects of opiate consumption on serum reproductive hormone and sperm parameters.

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Substance abuse is a growing social and medical problem both in developed and developing countries. The National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) conducted in United States indicated that illicit drug use is prevalent among men of reproductive age. Among men in the age groupings of 26–34, 35–49, and 50 years and older, use of any illicit drug in 2008 was 24.6%, 14.5%, and 7.8%, respectively. The illicit drugs which have been reported to adversely affect male fertility are marijuana, methamphetamines, cocaine, opioid narcotics, and anabolic-androgenic steroids. When assessing infertility, it is important to ask about drug use. In clinical practice we frequently encounter men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) who are opiate consumers, and cessation of these substances often results in improved semen quality. The present study supports the concept that opioids may impair male fertility capacity at multiple sites. A variety of demographic characteristics (age, BMI, occupational status, educational level, and smoking status) and clinical covariates (serum testosterone, LH, and PRL) are known to be correlated with fertility status.

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