ArticleArchives of gynecology and obstetrics2021
Does methylphenidate use affect sperm parameters in patients undergoing infertility investigation? A retrospective analysis of 9769 semen samples.
Article in Archives of gynecology and obstetrics, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The trial behind it
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 8 citations in OpenAlex.
- The protective role of curcumin in mitigating drug-induced toxicity in male reproductive system.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Pooled it
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder stimulant use is associated with reduced semen volume in reproductive-age men: a multi-center analysis.International journal of impotence research · 2026Article
- Paternal Exposure to Methylphenidate Induces Poor-Quality Blastocyst and Epigenetic Changes.Molecular reproduction and development · 2025Article
- Orchiopexy: one procedure, two diagnoses - different male infertility outcomes.Asian journal of andrology · 2024Article
- Chronic Administration of Lisdexamfetamine Induces Apoptosis and Inflammation and Reduces Sperm Quality in Adult Male Rats.Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) · 2024Article
- Recreational Drug Misuse and Its Potential Contribution to Male Fertility Levels' Decline: A Narrative Review.Brain sciences · 2022Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesMethylphenidate (MPH) is the most widely prescribed therapy for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Animal studies have shown a potential adverse effect of MPH exposure on male fertility. We examined the impact of MPH on human male sperm parameters.
designSperm parameters of 9769 samples from patients 18 years of age or older, collected as part of the basic evaluation of couples referred to the Infertility Clinic were analyzed retrospectively. We divided the study population into three groups according to MPH purchasing information: MPH purchased ≤ 90 days prior to sperm analysis-current users (n = 83), MPH purchased > 90 days prior to sperm analysis-past users (n = 293), and MPH-naïve patients (n = 9393).
methodsAll sperm samples were analyzed by the same laboratory technician team for the following routine parameters: semen volume, sperm concentration, percentage of motile sperm, and percentage of normal morphology according to World Health Organization. The analysis of the samples was completed by evaluation of total sperm count, total sperm motility, and percentage of fast and slow motile cells. Sperm morphology was evaluated by a laboratory technician using methodological examination according to the strict Kruger-Tygerberg criteria.
resultsMethylphenidate exposure did not affect sperm morphology but was associated with increased sperm concentration as well as increased total sperm count and total sperm motility among current and past users compared with MPH-naïve patients. In particular, progressive motility and total motile sperm count were significantly increased following MPH use. A multivariate analysis adjusting for age and current smoking was conducted, further supporting a positive correlation between current MPH use and increased values of total sperm count and total sperm motility. LIMITATIONS: Our study has several inherent weaknesses, foremost of which is its retrospective nature. Another notable weakness is that medication purchasing data may not accurately reflect MPH exposure in the study population. Patients may be purchasing MPH and not taking it as prescribed.
conclusionsIn the present study, we could not demonstrate a negative impact of methylphenidate treatment on sperm parameters in adults with ADHD. Hence, we may assume that methylphenidate does not negatively affect male fertility.
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