Leprosy
mailing list – December 10th, 2005
Ccn:
all.
From: L Schuler-Faccini, Porto
Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Dear Dr Noto,
I refer to my last message about the presence of
thalidomide in seminal fluid (LML
Dec. 7th, 2005) and given the importance of the subject
I would like to better clarify my points.
1.
There is no doubt that thalidomide is excreted in seminal fluid.
2.
Frank Sullivan is completely right in the sense that the amount is
extremely lower than the oral doses.
3.
Until today we (developmental toxicologists or teratologists) do not
have a good model of how seminal fluid in the vagina could harm the
foetus. That means, not directly, since the foetus is protected by the
amnion. There is, however, the possibility that the drug enters
maternal circulation and even so the dose would be very small.
4.
So, I personally believe that is quite unlikely that paternal exposure
to thalidomide poses a real teratogenic risk.
5.
In that way, the use of preservatives is advisable, because there is
elimination by seminal fluid, since, there is a THEORETICAL risk. But
THERE IS NO REASON FOR PANIC in case of intercourse without
preservatives. We should avoid unnecessary anxiety generated in
many cases where there is sexual intercourse without preservatives
when the pregnancy is not recognized yet.
Could you understand my point ?
Best regards,
Lavinia Schuler-Faccini, MD PhD
Teratogen Information Service - Porto
Alegre, Brazil
Departamento de Genetica -
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Servico de Genetica Medica - Hospital
de Clinicas de Porto Alegre
