Sperm may also love Viagra; PDE5 inhibitors may improve sperm motility.
**Article 17**
**Sperm also love Viagra**
**Case Study**
**Name: Duan Qin (pseudonym), 36 years old**
**Region: Changzhou, Jiangsu Province**
**Occupation: University Administrative Staff**
Duan Qin was a refined and cultured man, often jokingly referred to as "Young Master Duan" by his friends. After graduating with his doctorate, Young Master Duan went to work in administration at a good university. Two years later, he married his childhood sweetheart. They had planned to have a child a year after their marriage, but despite their efforts to time things and study different positions, they were unable to conceive. The couple failed to complete their mission of continuing the family line.
Mr. Duan became anxious and went directly to a urology clinic specializing in infertility. The doctor diagnosed him with significantly low sperm count and motility, indicating asthenospermia, which meant his wife couldn't conceive despite regular sexual activity. After identifying the cause, the doctor prescribed medication, but Mr. Duan was surprised to find it contained Viagra. After repeatedly confirming with the doctor that the wrong medication had been prescribed, he began to have doubts: "Viagra is for treating erectile dysfunction, but I don't have that problem. Will this medication cure my condition?"
Li Zheng, Chief Physician of the Department of Urology at Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine: In the past, nitric oxide (NO) was considered to be a pollutant from automobile exhaust. It wasn't until the 1980s, through continuous exploration and research, that scientists such as Ferid Murad and Robert F. Fochigott revealed the beneficial aspects of NO for human health-its effects on various aspects of the human body containing blood vessels-and it earned the Nobel Prize, making people widely aware that NO is an indispensable "health messenger" for the human body.
When a healthy male is sexually stimulated, the parasympathetic nervous system is excited, causing the penile nerves or blood vessels to secrete NO. Under the influence of NO, the content of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the smooth muscle cells of the corpus cavernosum increases. cGMP relaxes the smooth muscle of blood vessels, allowing more blood to remain in the corpus cavernosum, causing the penis to swell and become erect. When sexual stimulation disappears or other reasons cause a decrease in the excitability of the parasympathetic nervous system, the NO content decreases accordingly. At this time, cGMP is broken down by a substance in the body called phosphodiesterase (PDE), causing the penis to return to a flaccid state. Viagra can inhibit the breakdown of cGMP by PDE, maintaining or sustaining penile erection.
Numerous studies have shown that NO participates in the regulation of sperm production and motility. Low concentrations of NO are beneficial in increasing sperm motility and viability, and improving sperm fertilization capacity; high concentrations of NO have a damaging effect on sperm, reducing sperm motility and viability. This demonstrates a close relationship between NO and male fertility. In-depth research into the relationship between NO and sperm will undoubtedly provide new ideas and methods for elucidating normal male reproductive function and the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. Currently, some scholars abroad are attempting to utilize the dose-dependent effect of NO for fertility regulation, such as using NO donors in the development of contraceptives, and applying low-dose NO as a stimulant in assisted reproductive technologies to treat infertility.
The "Viagra" people commonly refer to is usually Viagra (sildenafil), a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. Other drugs in this class include Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (varatanafil). Viagra's powerful effect on improving sexual satisfaction is widely recognized. However, many people have raised the question: will long-term use of Viagra lead to decreased fertility or even infertility?
Safety studies of Viagra have found that, at doses consistent with the instructions, long-term use of Viagra has no significant impact on sperm motility, density, abnormal sperm rate, sperm viability, semen volume, and viscosity in healthy men. After taking Viagra, the results of these measurements remained largely unchanged compared to before use. For patients with oligospermia, asthenospermia, diabetic neuropathy, or infertility, Viagra can significantly improve sperm motility, total sperm count, and semen volume. Researchers believe that Viagra not only directly improves sperm motility but also enhances the secretory function of accessory glands such as the prostate and seminal vesicles, creating a better environment for sperm survival.
Furthermore, some animal studies have found that in vitro use of PDE5 drugs can improve sperm motility, promote sperm-egg fertilization, and increase fertilization rates. Viagra's efficacy and safety in treating erectile dysfunction are widely recognized. Increasing research indicates that Viagra also has a positive effect on sperm; sperm seem to benefit from Viagra. Further research into the effects of Viagra on sperm is of great significance for the treatment of male infertility and assisted reproductive technologies.