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An investigation into the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on sperm parameters - an in vitro study
Krausey, G. E. 2025. An investigation into the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on sperm parameters - an in vitro study. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/85715747-dfca-49d3-b...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613943682301952 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Krausey, Gemma Eden |
| author2 | Skosana, Bongekile Trisha |
| author_browse | Krausey, Gemma Eden Skosana, Bongekile Trisha |
| author_facet | Skosana, Bongekile Trisha Krausey, Gemma Eden |
| author_sort | Krausey, Gemma Eden |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Krausey, G. E. 2025. An investigation into the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on sperm parameters - an in vitro study. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/85715747-dfca-49d3-be4d-dd6645dd3816 |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132228 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:44:10.803Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132228 An investigation into the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on sperm parameters - an in vitro study Krausey, Gemma Eden Skosana, Bongekile Trisha Blignaut, Marguerite Ferguson, Lisa Marie Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Biomedical Sciences. Antidepressants -- Side effects Spermatozoa -- Physiology Infertility, Male -- Etiology Serotonin uptake inhibitors -- Side effects UCTD Krausey, G. E. 2025. An investigation into the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on sperm parameters - an in vitro study. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/85715747-dfca-49d3-be4d-dd6645dd3816 Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Antidepressant use has been associated with adverse effects on sperm; however, research on the specific impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant exposure on sperm has yielded contradictory findings, and the underlying mechanisms through which these drugs affect male fertility are still unknown. Further investigation is required due to the increased use of antidepressants amongst males of reproductive age. Aim: To examine the effects of SSRI antidepressants, specifically sertraline and escitalopram, on human sperm parameters in vitro, and to investigate the potential mechanisms of action underpinning such effects. Methodology: Human sperm samples (n= 90) were incubated with sertraline (low dose: 20 ng/mL, high dose: 3426.9 ng/mL) for 30 and 120 minutes, or with escitalopram (low dose: 21 ng/mL, high dose: 8288.6 ng/mL) for 30 and 180 minutes. The lower doses correspond with human plasma Cmax values during therapeutic use, and the higher doses correspond with concentrations used in other in vitro studies. Sperm motility and kinematic parameters were assessed with computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) and the SCA® software. Viability was assessed with a dye-exclusion staining technique and brighbield microscopy, and acrosome reaction was assessed with fluorescein-isothiocyanate conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA) and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, DNA fragmentation was assessed using a Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) kit and flow cytometry. Finally, mitochondrial superoxide was measured using a MitoSOX™ Red assay, and intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were quantified. One-way and two-way ANOVAs, and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were performed. Results: Total motility (p= 0.0011), progressive motility (p= 0.0004) and viability (p< 0.0001) decreased in sperm treated with high-dose sertraline. High-dose escitalopram only affected viability (p= 0.0456). Both sertraline and escitalopram affected numerous sperm kinematic parameters, and the number of untimely acrosome-reacted spermatozoa increased with high-dose sertraline (p= 0.0475) and with low dose escitalopram (p= 0.0104). Both the high and low concentrations of sertraline increased the percentage of sperm DNA fragmenta7on (p= 0.0191 and p= 0.0275 respectively), but no significant changes to mitochondrial ROS levels or general ATP levels were observed. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the higher sertraline concentration negatively affected sperm parameters such as motility and viability, whilst the high escitalopram concentration decreased viability, and the lower concentration increased the number of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. Furthermore, both low and high doses of sertraline treatment increased DNA fragmentation. Both drugs had varied effects on sperm kinematics, a novel effect that has not been described before. This indicates that, even at therapeutic doses, sperm parameters are negatively affected. The lack of significant changes in the mitochondrial ROS and sperm ATP levels suggest that these findings were more likely due to increases in DNA damage, and not a mitochondrial mechanism of action. This study highlights the importance for further investigation into these drugs and their possible detrimental effects on male fertility. Moreover, the findings of this study have important ramifications, given that mental health is an essential aspect of overall wellbeing, clinicians should consider the possible adverse effects of SSRIs on reproductive health when prescribing these drugs. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2025-05-30T09:35:37Z 2025-05-30T09:35:37Z 2025-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132228 en Stellenbosch University xv, 136 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Antidepressants -- Side effects Spermatozoa -- Physiology Infertility, Male -- Etiology Serotonin uptake inhibitors -- Side effects UCTD Krausey, Gemma Eden An investigation into the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on sperm parameters - an in vitro study |
| title | An investigation into the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on sperm parameters - an in vitro study |
| title_full | An investigation into the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on sperm parameters - an in vitro study |
| title_fullStr | An investigation into the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on sperm parameters - an in vitro study |
| title_full_unstemmed | An investigation into the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on sperm parameters - an in vitro study |
| title_short | An investigation into the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants on sperm parameters - an in vitro study |
| title_sort | investigation into the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ssri antidepressants on sperm parameters an in vitro study |
| topic | Antidepressants -- Side effects Spermatozoa -- Physiology Infertility, Male -- Etiology Serotonin uptake inhibitors -- Side effects UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132228 |
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