Systemic lupus erythematosus that is an auto immune disorder is mainly seen in women in their reproductive years. The chances of getting it have decreased recently, prompting a shift toward improving quality of life. For men who are suffering from SLE, there are a lot of concerns that have been increased. These concerns are related to their future fertility. But, as such, no research work has been done in order to date on testes function as well as its relevance to sperm abnormalities in male SLE patients.

According to certain studies that were published in the issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism in the year, it is proved that certain research work have been examined on the gonad function in male SLE patients and found that they have a high tendency of facing perm abnormalities that are linked with reduced testicular volume.

Also, the study identified that the medication, diagnosis or the treatment done with the immunosuppressant cyclophosphamide, is one of the major reasons that are responsible in permanent damage to the testes.

Under the guidance of Polyanna Maria F. Soares, the study involved 35 men who were suffering from SLE as well 35 healthy controls. They all went through an exam of the genitalia, that included the analysis of semen, in order to know more about the sperm count, morphology as well as the motility factor.

As far the SLE patients were concerned, a lot of other tests were also conducted. These tests included a brief analysis of antisperm antibodies, testicular ultrasound, as well as hormone evaluation.

When the results came out, it was proved that the patients who were suffering from SLE, had lower median testicular volumes in both testes, a lower median sperm count, as well as a lower motility, as compared to the normal people.

It was also founded that these SLE patients also have lower sperm volume as well as comparatively less percentage of sperm as compared to normal people.

So it was noted that all these patients are suffering from at least one type of semen abnormality. So they were divided into two groups. This division was done according to the severity. Group 1 involved those people who had abnormal sperm morphology, while on the other hand, group 2 involved those people who had no sperm as well as coupled with low sperm count.

It was found that those patients who were present in the second group had a higher frequency of treatment with IV CYC as compared to those people who are in the first group. Apart from all these. These people also had lower testicular volumes but at the same time they had higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone.

“To our knowledge, this is the first systematic evaluation that has specifically addressed sperm abnormalities in SLE and that clearly demonstrates a high frequency of severe alterations,” according to the researchers.

According to various studies, it is not possible to come to any kind of prediction whether these patients will become infertile or not in the future.

Conclusion of the research: “Considering that this disease occurs mainly during reproductive age, a multi-disciplinary approach is essential to identify the potential risk factors for infertility and to offer preventive measures for these patients.”