Systematic review of the impact of calcium channel blockers on sperm function.

This study explores the effects of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) on sperm function, a critical aspect of male fertility. Male infertility, responsible for 30-50 % of infertility cases, often involves issues with sperm motility and capacitation, both of which are heavily influenced by calcium ions and specific ion channels like CatSper and voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs). CCBs, which are commonly prescribed for cardiovascular conditions, inhibit these calcium channels, potentially disrupting sperm function. A comprehensive literature review showed varied results: some studies demonstrated that CCBs such as nifedipine reduce sperm motility and the acrosome reaction, causing reversible infertility, while others found no significant impact on fertilization rates in IVF treatments. Supporting these findings, animal studies indicated that CCBs impair spermatogenesis and sperm function without necessarily affecting hormonal levels. The research suggests that the impact of CCBs on male fertility might be reversible, emphasizing the need for more extensive in vivo studies to further understand these effects and their clinical significance for patients on CCB therapy.