Anti-TNF agents and potential effects on male fertility: are men being counseled?

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockade has revolutionized the treatment of autoimmune conditions such as inflammatory joint and bowel disease, helping to reduce disease-associated morbidity and mortality [1]. However, the impact of these agents on male fertility is unclear based on the limited current literature. While the role of TNF in male spermatogenesis is still under investigation, the basic science literature suggests TNF plays critical role in spermatogenesis and maintaining the blood-testis barrier [2‐4]. TNF is produced by germ cells and acts as a paracrine cytokine, binding to both Sertoli and Leydig cells [2‐4]. Suominen et al. demonstrated that TNF is important in regulating germ cell apoptosis by promoting germ cell survival, which is blocked by infliximab (a TNF antagonist) [5]. Furthermore, sperm production was found to be reduced by 54% in a TNF-related-to-apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) deficient mouse model in whom TNF signaling is impaired [6]. While TNF is integral to spermatogenesis, if unregulated, high levels of TNF can also be detrimental by leading to testicular inflammation [7]. Therefore, maintaining an adequate equilibrium is essential.

The effect of TNF blockade on human fertility is poorly understood. While two small studies have shown no deleterious effect of anti-TNF agents on semen quality, spermatogenesis, production of anti-sperm antibodies, and testosterone levels [8, 9], others have demonstrated increased risk for asthenospermia (decreased sperm motility) [10‐12] and impaired sperm morphology [12, 13]. In the rheumatology literature, concern has been raised of cases where sperm counts were significantly reduced following initiation of an anti-TNF agent [14]. Despite the “very low level of evidence” for the effects of anti-TNF agents on male fertility, a review of drug effects on male fertility by Semet et al. states that sperm cryopreservation and discontinuation of treatment for fertility concerns is not necessary for males initiating anti-TNF therapy [15].

Given the discordant research regarding specific reproductive effects, our objective was to ascertain if men prescribed anti-TNF agents are being: (1) counseled regarding potential for adverse reproductive effects; (2) screened for anatomic or laboratory abnormalities associated with infertility; and (3) electing for sperm cryopreservation.

We performed an IRB-approved (STU00205946), retrospective chart review of 1010 male patients between the ages of 18 and 45 from January 2006 to September 2017 seen at a single academic medical center. Additional inclusion criteria included having never been prescribed an anti-TNF agent prior to the study period and being prescribed only one anti-TNF agent during the study period. Men prescribed multiple anti-TNF agents during the study period were excluded from analysis. Anti-TNF agents prescribed in this study were adalimumab, infliximab, etanercept, golimumab, and certolizumab.

Counseling was defined as a documented discussion (for example, office visit note or documented telephone encounter) between the patient and prescribing provider that the prescribed agent may pose a risk to reproduction or fertility. The counseling must have occurred prior to starting treatment. To assess if men were screened for anatomic or laboratory abnormalities associated with infertility, we determined if men received (1) a genitourinary exam, (2) screening for varicocele, (3) diagnosis or assessment for low libido, (4) testosterone, FSH, LH, and/or prolactin level, (5) semen analysis (separate from cryopreservation), and (6) sperm cryopreservation. Genitourinary examination was confirmed by a documented assessment of the penis, meatus, and/or testes. Varicocele screening must have included a documentation of absence of varicocele or a grading score and laterality of assessed varicocele by palpation. Sperm cryopreservation included only men who elected cryopreservation. All six parameters may have occurred at the initial visit when the anti-TNF agent was prescribed or during their course of treatment (not necessarily by prescribing provider). Demographic information including marital status, race, and ethnicity were determined from the medical record. Patient diagnosis was defined as prescribing clinician diagnosis entered in the medical record at the time the anti-TNF agent was prescribed.

Each pharmaceutical approved for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a corresponding highlights of prescribing information sheet, which includes information regarding known impact of a drug on fertility. Highlights of prescribing information sheets were assessed for statements and literature references regarding impact of each anti-TNF agent on male fertility (Table 2).

Data was analyzed using GraphPad Prism. Categorical variables and proportion of events between those that did or did not receive counseling were compared using chi-square test. Means with standard deviation were compared using Student’s t-test after determining normal distribution (Shapiro-Wilk test). A p value ≤0.05 was considered significant.

Anti -TNF agents are commonly prescribed to young adult men with autoimmune conditions on a long-term basis. While it is known on a molecular level that TNF is required for optimal spermatogenesis, the literature currently lacks large cohort, randomized, prospective evidence to adequately answer this question. Furthermore, according to the FDA highlights of prescribing information for each anti-TNF agent evaluated in this study, the majority stated the impact of the agent on fertility was unknown. Those that reported no risk did not provide literature or study reference to allow for evaluation of their data (Table 2). Despite this lack of quality of evidence, the recommendations found in the literature suggest sperm cryopreservation or discontinuation of anti-TNF therapy for male fertility concerns is not necessary [15]. This discordant information available to prescribers in the literature may help to explain why only 10.3% of over 1000 men prescribed an anti-TNF agent in our study cohort received counseling as to potential adverse effects on fertility. This suggests that patients and clinicians may be unaware of this knowledge gap or may not be documenting the fertility aspect of their discussion.

Furthermore, men prescribed anti-TNF agents are a unique population in that their primary disease (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or ankylosing spondylitis) can affect sexual function and desire, which could also impact their fertility. Men with IBD, for example, have been shown to have increased rates of hypogonadism, reduced sexual interest, difficulty achieving or maintaining erection, and higher rates of depression compared to age matched controls [21‐24]. Additionally, men with ankylosing spondylitis suffer from debilitating arthritis, spinal stiffness, and loss of spinal mobility which has been associated with impaired erectile function, arousal, and sexual satisfaction [25]. Our study demonstrated that the majority of men were not asked about libido or sexual function, which is a common problem that can significantly impact quality of life. Furthermore, while hypogonadism has been associated with increased systemic inflammatory markers and risk of autoimmune conditions in men, restoration of eugonadism has not been demonstrated to our knowledge with control of underlying autoimmune disease [26]. For example, Cutolo et al. demonstrated that use of anti-TNF agents did not change systemic levels of sex androgens in men with rheumatoid arthritis [27].

We found that if men received counseling regarding potential for adverse reproductive effects when taking anti-TNF agents, they were significantly more likely to be screened for anatomic abnormalities (e.g. meatal stenosis, varicocele, small testis volume) and have laboratory tests associated with infertility (e.g. testosterone level, semen analysis) performed. While this is only an association, it suggests that discussion of fertility may prompt further examination and workup to screen for other factors that may affect fertility. Lastly, rates of sperm cryopreservation were significantly higher in men who received counseling but were very low overall (< 6%). This suggests that clinicians may not be aware of this option or how best to approach the topic with patients, which has been demonstrated in other patient populations, such as men diagnosed with cancer [28, 29].

This study is limited by its retrospective nature, reliance on documentation by providers, and being a single institution study. Our data suggests that the impact of anti-TNF agents on male fertility is largely unknown as reported by the FDA prescribing information for each agent. Furthermore, it suggests rates of counseling regarding this topic are low. Given our study is from a single center only, we cannot generalize our findings to education received by all men who are started on anti-TNF therapy. Additionally, information available to providers and practice patterns may have changed over the timeline of this study (2006–2017). Until further research delineates the effect of anti-TNF agents on male fertility, we urge clinicians to counsel patients about this lack of evidence and discuss the option of fertility preservation measures, out of an abundance of caution, prior to starting treatment.

The impact of anti-TNF agents on human male fertility is unclear, with the basic science and clinical literature published to date lacking conclusive evidence on the short and long term reproductive effects of anti-TNF therapy. Despite this lack of clarity, our data suggests that men are not being counseled regarding the potential for adverse reproductive outcomes. Furthermore, rates of sperm cryopreservation and discussion of sexual history in this population were low. A large, prospective study assessing the impact of anti-TNF agents on semen parameters, sexual health, and overall fertility outcomes is needed in order to better identify impacts of therapy, so physicians can more effectively counsel patients.