Hairless or Fertile? Finasteride Leads to Epididymal Changes and Infertility in Rats

    April 2012 in “ Fertility and Sterility ”
    Keith Jarvi
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    TLDR Finasteride may cause infertility in rats by affecting epididymis and sperm function.
    The use of finasteride, a 5 a-reductase inhibitor commonly used to treat male baldness, may lead to epididymal changes and infertility in rats, according to a study by Garcia et al. The study found that finasteride caused changes in the structure and function of the epididymis, as well as reduced sperm function and fertility potential without any significant alterations in sperm production. The authors postulated that the poorer sperm parameters and fertility potential in those rats treated with finasteride were due in part to the rapid transit through the epididymis. The study adds experimental weight to the limited literature suggesting that the use of finasteride could result in male infertility.
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