SynthesisThe journal of sexual medicine2026
Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on male reproductive hormones, semen parameters, and metabolic outcomes: a systematic review.
Synthesis in The journal of sexual medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Pooled it
- Decoding the Safety Profile of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Facts, Myths, and Ongoing Controversies.Current obesity reports · 2026Review
- Expanding the therapeutic potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists: implications for male reproductive and perioperative urologic health.Translational andrology and urology · 2026Article
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Tirzepatide in Men Seeking Fertility: A Structured Narrative Review and Proposed Clinical Framework.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Review
- Obesity-Related Functional Hypogonadism Requires Therapeutic Recalibration: Implications for GLP-1-Based Therapies.Andrology · 2026Article
- Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus as an Etiology of Anejaculation and Primary Male Infertility: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Review
- Unconventional Applications of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide: From Oncology to Human Reproduction.Biomedicines · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionGlucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are antidiabetic agents that also induce weight loss. Their widespread use has prompted investigation of potential benefits beyond glycemic control, including effects on male sexual and reproductive function. Emerging evidence suggests that they may improve male reproductive parameters, particularly in men with metabolic dysfunction.
objectivesTo systematically evaluate the effects of GLP-1RAs (liraglutide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide) on male reproductive hormones, semen parameters, and metabolic outcomes.
methodsWe conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science up to April 2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies evaluating the effects of GLP-1RAs in adult men. Assessed the risk of bias with the risk of bias 2 tool for RCT and the Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool for observational studies.
resultsTen studies involving a total of 639 men were included. GLP-1RAs were consistently associated with increased total testosterone, particularly in men with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or functional hypogonadism. Free testosterone changes were inconsistent, often offset by concurrent rises in sex hormone-binding globulin. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were preserved or increased with GLP-1RA use, in contrast to the suppression observed in testosterone therapy comparator groups. Improvements in semen parameters were reported in obese or hypogonadal men; however, no significant changes were found in healthy individuals.
conclusionGLP-1RAs may improve testosterone levels and potentially enhance semen quality in men with metabolic issues, while maintaining gonadotropin function. They could serve as fertility-sparing alternatives to testosterone therapy in some obesity-related hypogonadism cases. More long-term, controlled studies with standardized fertility measures are needed to confirm their role in male reproductive health.
Indexed as
Identifiers
41498523What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.