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Abstract : |
Antimicrobial drugs have been reported to have adverse effects on male fertility. The present study reports the role of أƒإ½أ‚آ±- tocopherol on metronidazole and tetracycline induced reproductive alterations in albino rats. Male albino rats (5/group) were treated with 20 mg kg-1 bw day-1 metronidazole or 60 mg kg-1 day-1 tetracycline with or without 15 mg kg-1 bw أƒإ½أ‚آ±-tocopherol for 8 weeks. The reversibility of effects after 4 weeks recovery period was determined in separate groups of 5 rats. The control groups received distilled water (vehicle) and 15 mg kg-1 day-1 أƒإ½أ‚آ±- tocopherol for 8 weeks. Metronidazole and tetracycline significantly (p<0.05) reduced the weight of the epididymis, sperm count, motility and serum testosterone levels and increased the activity of endogenous superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the testis. Alpha-tocopherol significantly (p<0.05) decreased the weight of the testis, epididymis, sperm motility and serum testosterone levels. Co-administration of metronidazole or tetracycline with أƒإ½أ‚آ±-tocopherol caused significant restoration in sperm indices and SOD activity while it produced no effect on testosterone secretion. The results suggest that the effects of metronidazole and tetracycline on male reproductive functions, which are partially reversible, could be mediated via a reduction in serum testosterone level and probably also via the free radical generating mechanism., |
