Effects of different doses of tamoxifen on the sperm parameters and chromatin quality in mice: An experimental model

Background: Tamoxifen (TX) is widely used for the treatment of male factor andidiopathic infertility. It has been shown that TX induces sperm production and soimproves male fertility.Objective: This study evaluated the effects of different doses of TX on the spermparameters and chromatin quality in mice.Materials and Methods: In this research, 24 male NMRI mice were divided into threegroups including group A: control animal receiving vehicle; group B: the group receivingbasal diet and TX 0.4 mg/kg/day; and group C: the group receiving basal diet andTX 0.6 mg/kg/day for 35 days. Thereafter, epididymal spermatozoa were analyzedfor standard parameters and nuclear chromatin quality using Aniline Blue (AB) andToluidine Blue (TB) staining.Results: The results indicated that although the TX did not affect the sperm count,motility, and viability parameters, it could elevate the percentage of sperm cellswith abnormal morphology and abnormal chromatin at both doses. In addition, incomparison with the control mice, a significant elevation was observed in spermatozoawith residual histones (assessed by AB staining) at high doses of TX.Conclusion: Our experimental data in mice suggested that the use of TX for treatingmale infertility might increase the rates of spermatozoa with abnormal chromatin in adose-dependent manner.

Keywords:

Tamoxifen , Sperm , Chromatin , Mice