Impact of mTOR-I on fertility and pregnancy: state of the art and review of the literature

Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2013 Aug;9(8):781-9. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2013.824243.

Abstract

Successful transplantation should lead to improvements in sexual function and sex hormone disturbances in both men and women, but immunosuppressive drugs may interfere with hormone metabolism. In this regard, several studies have showed a potential negative effect of mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) on male gonadal function, while their role in the female patients is not well documented in the literature. Successful pregnancy is possible after solid organ transplantation. The fetal effects of mTORi are still poorly defined but they seem not to represent an absolute contraindication for pregnancy. The aim of our study would be to review the impact of mTORi on fertility and pregnancy in order to have a clearer picture about their possible use after organ transplantation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Female
  • Fertility / drug effects
  • Fertility / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / etiology
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Organ Transplantation*
  • Postoperative Complications / immunology
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Pregnancy / drug effects
  • Pregnancy / immunology
  • Pregnancy Complications / immunology
  • Pregnancy Complications / prevention & control*
  • Quality of Life
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology*
  • Sirolimus / therapeutic use
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Sirolimus