The Impact of Shock Wave Lithotripsy on Male Fertility: A Critical Analysis of Existing Evidence

We review the literature about the impact of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) on male reproduction. Studies investigating the in vitro effect of shock waves on semen samples indicate that spermatozoa are vulnerable to SWL. According to animal studies, intratesticular bleeding is common, but pregnancy ra...

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Published inUrology (Ridgewood, N.J.) Vol. 79; no. 3; pp. 492 - 500
Main Authors Philippou, Prodromos, Ralph, David J, Timoney, Anthony G
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.03.2012
Elsevier
Subjects
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
DNA Damage
Female
Humans
Infertility, Male
Lithotripsy - adverse effects
Male
Medical sciences
Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Rate
Semen - radiation effects
Semen Analysis
Spermatozoa - radiation effects
Urology
Nephrology
Fertility
Lithotripsy
Instrumentation therapy
Male
Shock wave
Urology
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Summary:We review the literature about the impact of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) on male reproduction. Studies investigating the in vitro effect of shock waves on semen samples indicate that spermatozoa are vulnerable to SWL. According to animal studies, intratesticular bleeding is common, but pregnancy rates are not affected by shock waves. In the clinical setting, SWL causes an acute deterioration in sperm quality, but semen parameters return to baseline 3 months later. Long-term data on male fertility (ie, pregnancy rates) after SWL have yet to be reported and the significance of preexisting infertility has not been elucidated to date.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-3
content type line 23
ObjectType-Review-1
ISSN:0090-4295
1527-9995
DOI:10.1016/j.urology.2011.12.003