Chronic excessive alcohol consumption and male fertility: a case report on reversible azoospermia and a literature review

Alcohol Alcohol. 2014 Jan-Feb;49(1):42-4. doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agt133. Epub 2013 Aug 21.

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this work was to report on a heavy drinker whose azoospermia was reversed after alcohol withdrawal. We also review the literature on links between alcohol consumption and azoospermia.

Method: This study is a clinical case report and a literature review.

Results: Two years after alcohol withdrawal, a child was born following assisted reproduction technique. Excessive alcohol consumption (i.e. more than 60 g a day) is strongly associated with azoospermia and this condition may be reversible after alcohol withdrawal.

Conclusions: Testicular biopsies should be countra-indicated for heavy drinkers, and in order to increase the chances of obtaining a pregnancy, alcohol abstinence should be encouraged in male with low-to-moderate alcohol intakes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcohol Abstinence / trends
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Alcoholism / complications*
  • Alcoholism / diagnosis*
  • Alcoholism / therapy
  • Azoospermia / diagnosis*
  • Azoospermia / etiology*
  • Azoospermia / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infertility, Male / diagnosis*
  • Infertility, Male / etiology*
  • Infertility, Male / therapy
  • Male
  • Pregnancy