Allergies and infertility
According to the results of a recent study, antihistamines, widely used for the treatment of allergies, disrupt the functions of the seminal glands in mice and may contribute to the development of male infertility.
Histamine is a compound produced by immune cells when an allergen enters the body. The action of histamine is aimed at eliminating allergens from the body through sneezing, itching or lacrimation. It is a component of the normal protective reaction of the body, however, in some people, in response to the ingress of irritants such as plant pollen, animal dandruff or dust, an excessive reaction of the immune system develops, causing symptoms that significantly worsen the quality of life.
Antihistamines are traditionally used to relieve these symptoms. However, in addition to neutralizing the action of histamine, these compounds have a side effect, manifested by a violation of sleep and wakefulness, sexual function, as well as a decrease in fertility.
Against the background of a constant increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases in developed countries, the use of antihistamines is also growing, so doctors and researchers need to have as much information as possible about the side effects they cause.
Researchers at the Institute of Biology and Experimental Medicine in Buenos Aires, Argentina, working under the guidance of Dr. Carolina Mondillo, conducted a systematic analysis of animal model studies conducted over the past 40 years to study the relationship between taking antihistamines and fertility.
In several of the analyzed studies, an association was found between taking antihistamines and impaired function of the seminal glands. The authors suggested that these drugs disrupt the synthesis of male sex hormones, which leads to the appearance of spermatozoa with abnormal shape or reduced mobility, as well as to a decrease in the number of sperm produced.
It should be noted that all the analyzed studies were conducted on animal models and it is very difficult to extrapolate them to humans. To date, there is very little clinical data on this issue and further studies are needed to obtain a more understandable picture.
Earlier studies have demonstrated the existence of associations between male infertility and other widely used drugs, such as calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants and anabolic steroids.
In addition, it is worth mentioning simple rules to reduce the risk of infertility, namely: healthy eating, maintaining a normal body weight, reducing stress, regular physical activity, as well as quitting smoking, reducing the consumption of alcoholic beverages and wearing loose underwear.
Article by Carolina Mondillo et al. Potential negative effects of anti-histamines on male reproductive function is published in the journal Reproduction.
Evgenia Ryabtseva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of MedicalNewsToday: Common allergy drugs may harm testicular function.