ADVERSE TESTICULAR EFFECTS OF SOME QUINOLONE MEMBERS IN RATS

Authors: ABD-ALLAH A.R.A.; ALY H.A.A.; MOUSTAFA A.M.A.; ABDEL-AZIZ A-A.H.; HAMADA F.M.A.

Source: Pharmacological Research, February 2000, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 211-219(9)

Abstract:

In the last few years, a marked decrease in male fertility has been reported. Environmental factors were recently suspected for this effect. Among those factors is the misuse of drugs and in particular antibiotics. Quinolones are a group of antibacterial agents with broad-spectrum activity. Testicular impairment of some quinolone members is controversial; a matter which stimulated our attention to investigate the adverse testicular effects of the most familiar quinolone members, namely: ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin. They were given to rats in doses of 72, 135 and 72 mg kg-1day-1p.o., respectively, for 15 consecutive days. Ofloxacin was also used to establish a dose–response relationship in doses of 36, 72 and 360 mg kg-1day-1p.o. for 15 consecutive days. Results revealed that ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin reduced testicular LDH-X activity by 39.8%, 62.7%and 60.7%, respectively. Moreover, sperm count, motility and daily sperm production were markedly decreased. Ofloxacin induced a dose-dependent decrease in testicular LDH-X activity, sperm count and motility. Furthermore, daily sperm production showed a marked reduction which amounted to 26.1% and 40.0% following administration of ofloxacin (72, 360 mg kg-1day-1×15 days), respectively. Moreover, administration of ofloxacin resulted in marked testicular histopathological changes. It is concluded that, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin significantly impaired both testicular function and structure in rats. Copyright 2000 Academic Press