The Effect of Methylphenidate consumption on Male Fertility Parameters

Rationale: Due to the common use of Methylphenidate (MPH) in young adults, and previous studies that demonstrated negative effect of MPH on male mice fertility, there is a need for studies that would examine the effect on human male fertility.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of fertility problems in male patients treated with MPH.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study. Between 2009-2015, data of 7,513 consecutive semen analyses were collected as part of the basic fertility evaluation of 4,201 couples. Semen analyses were conducted according to WHO criteria. MPH samples were defined as those obtained from subjects purchasing MPH within 90 days prior to semen analysis, and the rest of the samples serving as controls. Multivariate analysis was performed using General Estimation Equation (GEE) models.

Results: 38 of the semen analyses (of 29 subjects) were conducted within 90 days of MPH purchase. Mean age was similar between the two groups (31.8±6.3 vs. 32.8 ±8.4 years, p=0.443). The prevalence of oligozoospermia was significantly lower in the MPH group (10.5% vs. 29.3%, p=0.011), as well as the rate of asthenozoospermia (15.8% vs. 37.2%, p=0.007). In multivariate analysis adjusting for age, MPH therapy was found to be a protective factor for both oligozoospermia (O.R.=0.37 C.I 95% 0.15-0.89) and asthenozoospermia (O.R.=0.33 C.I 95% 0.15-0.76).

Conclusions: In terms of human male fertility, consumption of MPH was found to be safe and was associated with improved sperm count and motility.