Male Infertility Associated with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)

 

Semen analysis of an affected male shows

(1) oligo- or azoospermia.

(2) less often impaired motility

 

Most likely explanations:

(1) amyloidosis

(2) a cause unrelated to FMF

 

A male with FMF who is known to have amyloidosis should have semen analysis if the person is young or wants children.

 

Less common explanations:

(1) recurrent orchitis or epididymitis secondary to FMF

(2) colchicine therapy (sperm counts increase if colchicine is discontinued and decreases again if the drug is restarted).

 

Differential diagnosis:

(1) infertility in the female partner

 

Cryopreseveration of semen should be considered in a young male with risk factors for infertility who wants children.