Hairless or fertile? Finasteride leads to epididymal changes and infertility in rats
June 2012
in “Fertility and Sterility”
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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Cited in this study
research Morphometric-stereological and functional epididymal alterations and a decrease in fertility in rats treated with finasteride and after a 30-day post-treatment recovery period
Finasteride causes lasting fertility decrease in rats.
research Finasteride-induced secondary infertility associated with sperm DNA damage
Finasteride use may cause sperm damage and infertility, stopping it can improve sperm health.
research Male androgenetic alopecia
Hair loss in men treated best with early medication or transplant, new treatments researched.
research Finasteride-associated male infertility
Finasteride may worsen infertility in men with existing issues, but stopping it can improve sperm health.
research CHRONIC TREATMENT WITH FINASTERIDE DAILY DOES NOT AFFECT SPERMATOGENESIS OR SEMEN PRODUCTION IN YOUNG MEN
Finasteride doesn't harm male fertility or sperm quality, but may slightly reduce ejaculate volume.