Journal of Advanced Biomedical Sciences

Background & Objective: The research objective was to investigate the prevalence of infertility in renal transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive agents and compare the impact of tacrolimus (target of Rapamycin inhibitors (TOR-I)) and Cyclosporine on spermogram parameters after the transplantation.

Material & Methods: In this prospective study, from March 2013 to March 2014, all male patient who underwent renal transplantation and were treated with Tacrolimus or Cyclosporine, were included. Patients’ spermogram was analyzed in terms of sperm count and motility.

Results: Average sperm count in patients receiving cyclosporine and tacrolimus before the transplantation was 1.73 × 10⁶ and 2.08 × 10⁶ and after the transplantation was 1.2 × 10⁶ and 1.22 × 10⁶, respectively (P=0.008)(P=0.002). Average percentage of the motile sperms of patients treated with Cyclosporine, before the transplantation and start of immunosuppressive course was 45.10%, which decreased to 40.50% at the end of the course. The analysis indicated a significant reduction in sperm motility (P=0.001). Average percentage of the motile sperms of patients receiving Tacrolimus, before the transplantation and start of treatment was 46% that decreased to 38% after the transplantation. This finding presents the significantly reduced sperm motility (P=0.002). Finally, the effective sperm motility in patients treated with Cyclosporine was significantly higher than patients treated with Tacrolimus.

Conclusion: Tacrolimus reduces sperms’ motility in renal transplant patients significantly higher than Cyclosporine.