Influence of salazosulphapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid on seminal qualities and male sex hormones.

Seminal abnormalities are a common side effect of salazosulphapyridine (SASP) treatment. We evaluated semen qualities and sex hormone concentrations in 11 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during SASP treatment and 4 months after replacing SASP with an oral slow-release preparation of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). Significant improvement in sperm count (p less than 0.01), morphology (p less than 0.02), and motility (p less than 0.02) could be observed during 5-ASA therapy, in comparison with SASP treatment. Three pregnancies occurred during the study period. The serum concentrations of gonadotrophins, prolactin, and sex hormone-binding globulin were normal in all patients and not significantly different in the two treatment periods. The mean total testosterone concentration decreased significantly (p less than 0.02) after 5-ASA substitution, together with serum albumin (p less than 0.005), although all values remained within normal limits. The apparent free testosterone concentration was not significantly different in the two treatment periods. It is concluded that a significant improvement in semen quality can be obtained in male patients with IBD after replacing SASP with 5-ASA.