Anabolic steroids abuse and male infertility.

Rabih El Osta,Jacques Hubert,Pascal Eschwège,Nicolas Hubert,Catherine Diligent,Thierry Almont

doi:10.1186/s12610-016-0029-4

Abstract

For several decades, testosterone and its synthetic derivatives have been used with anabolic and androgenic purposes. These substances were first restricted to professional bodybuilders, but become more and more popular among recreational athletes. Up to date, 3,000,000 anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) users have been reported in the United States with an increasing prevalence, making AAS consumption a major public health growing concern. Infertility is defined by the WHO as the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse and a male factor is present in up to 50 % of all infertile couples. Several conditions may be related to male infertility.Substance abuse, including AAS, is commonly associated to transient or persistent impairment on male reproductive function, through different pathways. Herein, a brief overview on AAS is offered. Steroids biochemistry, patterns of use, physiological and clinical issues are enlightened. A further review about fertility outcomes among male AAS abusers is also presented, including the classic reports on transient anabolic steroid-induced hypogonadism (ASIH), and the more recent experimental reports on structural and genetic sperm damage.

Highlights

For several decades, testosterone and its synthetic derivatives have been used with anabolic and androgenic purposes
3,000,000 Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS) users have been reported in the United States [1, 2], and considering its increasing prevalence, anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) consumption has become an issue of major concern
3,000,000 AAS users have been reported in the United States [1]

Summary

Introduction

Testosterone and its synthetic derivatives have been used with anabolic and androgenic purposes. These substances were restricted to professional bodybuilders, becoming gradually more popular among recreational power athletes. When combined with a proper diet and an intense training program, anabolic steroids are able to increase strength and muscle mass in some people. They have many side effects which can be permanent or potentially fatal. The abuse of anabolic steroids, is often associated with transient or persistent alterations of male reproductive function by different routes

Background

Findings

Conclusion