Impact of Depression on Semen Parameters

Abstract Background Male factor plays a role in about 50% of infertility cases world-wide. This may be attributed to pretesticular, testicular, post testicular causes or it may be idiopathic. Psychological disorders including depression are being investigated as one of the risk factors responsible for idiopathic infertility with contradicting reports. Aim The aim of this study is to assess the potential impact of depression on semen parameters and to evaluate the potential role of improving the score of depression in improving these parameters. Patients and Methods This is a prospective observational pilot study. Twenty one male patients with moderate, severe or very severe depression were recruited from the psychiatry outpatient clinic then were examined and evaluated at the andrology clinic of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology Department, Ain Shams University Hospitals. Each patient had baseline semen analysis and 2nd assessment semen analysis after depression improvement. The improvement of depression was assessed by Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D). Results When comparing semen parameters before and after depression improvement in the whole studied patients, the only significant change was the increase in semen volume. Conclusion Depression has an evident relation with male infertility through affecting semen volume and this can be reversed by treating depression leading to improvement of male fertility.