Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Male dog became infertile but recovered after long ketoconazole
By Domosławska, Anna & Zduńczyk, Sławomir·Published in Acta veterinaria Scandinavica·2021·Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Reversible infertility in male dog following prolonged treatment of Malassezia dermatitis with ketoconazole.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old male American Staffordshire terrier was brought in for low libido and unsuccessful mating attempts after being treated for 3 months with ketoconazole, an antifungal medication, for a skin infection. The dog had no sperm in his ejaculate and low testosterone levels at the time of the visit, indicating infertility. Fortunately, after stopping the ketoconazole, his sperm quality and testosterone levels returned to normal within 100 days, and he was able to successfully mate afterward. This case highlights the potential for reversible infertility in male dogs treated with ketoconazole.
People also search for: dog infertility after medication · American Staffordshire terrier low libido · ketoconazole side effects in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ketoconazole, an antifungal agent, adversely affects spermatogenesis in rodents, but knowledge on adverse effects of prolonged administration of ketoconazole on the fertility of male dogs is lacking. A case of reversible infertility with azoospermia in a male American Staffordshire terrier treated with ketoconazole is reported here. CASE PRESENTATION: A seven-year old male American Staffordshire terrier treated for 3 months with ketoconazole for a persistent Malassezia dermatitis displayed reduced libido and mating of 3 bitches had been unsuccessful. The dog was presented at the clinic 40 days after the treatment had been stopped. At first presentation, low libido and complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate (azoospermia) associated with low testosterone level were found. Repeated examinations revealed that sperm quality and testosterone level had restored 100 days after ketoconazole had been withdrawn. Thereafter, the dog successfully mated 2 bitches. CONCLUSION: The treatment with ketoconazole for 3 months may have led to reversible infertility characterized by azoospermia. Therefore, owners of stud dogs should be informed of this risk prior to initiating such treatment and in case of infertility, previous treatment with ketoconazole should be considered as a possible cause.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34838073/