BACKGROUND: Male infertility has many causes, and recently it has been suggested that calcium channel blockers might contribute to male infertility. METHODS: A case consistent with nifedipine-induced male infertility is described. MEDLINE was searched for articles on the effect of calcium channel blockers and the general causes of infertility, with an emphasis on male infertility, using the key words "nifedipine," "male infertility," "sperm," and "calcium channel blockers." RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Male infertility induced by calcium channel blockers should be included in the differential diagnosis of infertile couples in appropriate cases. Whether a calcium channel blocker could be developed as a male contraceptive remains to be determined. Further studies are needed to determine the prevalence of infertility among men taking calcium channel blockers.
BACKGROUND:Male infertility has many causes, and recently it has been suggested that calcium channel blockers might contribute to male infertility. METHODS: A case consistent with nifedipine-induced male infertility is described. MEDLINE was searched for articles on the effect of calcium channel blockers and the general causes of infertility, with an emphasis on male infertility, using the key words "nifedipine," "male infertility," "sperm," and "calcium channel blockers." RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:Male infertility induced by calcium channel blockers should be included in the differential diagnosis of infertile couples in appropriate cases. Whether a calcium channel blocker could be developed as a male contraceptive remains to be determined. Further studies are needed to determine the prevalence of infertility among men taking calcium channel blockers.