Original Papers - Andrology
Vol. 97 No. 4 (2025)
https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2025.14440
Effect of isotretinoin on sperm quality in humans: an in vitro model
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Received: 15 September 2025
Accepted: 25 September 2025
Published: 27 October 2025
Accepted: 25 September 2025
Published: 27 October 2025
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Objective: Isotretinoin is a retinoid widely used for severe acne, known for its teratogenicity, but with an unclear impact on male fertility and the risk of fetal exposure through semen. This study evaluated in vitro the effect of different concentrations of isotretinoin (therapeutic and extremely high) on the motility, vitality, and integrity of human sperm DNA.
Methods: For this purpose, human semen samples (n=17) were exposed to isotretinoin concentrations of 22 nM, 660 nM, 66,000 nM, and 660,000 nM. Sperm motility and vitality were assessed up to 5 hours post-exposure, while DNA fragmentation was evaluated at 2 hours.
Results: Concentrations of 22 nM, 660 nM, and 66,000 nM did not significantly affect the sperm assessed parameters. However, the highest concentration (660,000 nM) induced immediate cytotoxicity in human sperm, resulting in 100% immotile and nonviable sperm cells, as well as increased sperm DNA fragmentation.
Conclusions: Knowing that the concentrations achieved clinically in semen and blood are considerably lower than the cytotoxic concentration, these findings suggest that treatment with therapeutic doses of isotretinoin does not compromise human sperm function in vitro.
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Effect of isotretinoin on sperm quality in humans: an in vitro model. (2025). Archivio Italiano Di Urologia E Andrologia, 97(4). https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2025.14440
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