Severe deterioration in sperm parameters and testes of rats administered naproxen and diclofenac at pre-puberty: An experimental study

Background: Although naproxen and diclofenac are the most commonly used nonsteroidal drugs, their toxicity affecting male reproductivity has not been sufficiently studied, particularly when used in pre-puberty. Objective: This study aims to investigate the toxic effects of naproxen and diclofenac on sperm parameters and testes in pre-pubertal rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, ۱۵ pre-pubertal male albino rats (aged ۵ wk, weighted ۷۰-۸۰ gr) were used. The animals were divided in to ۳ groups (n = ۵/each) of control (۰.۱ ml dimethyl sulfoxide), naproxen (۵۰ mg/kg), and diclofenac sodium (۵ mg/kg), and were orally administered with these drugs every day for ۳ wk. Epididymal spermatozoa were taken to assess sperm count, viability, and morphology. After preparing tissue sections, testicular histopathological and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Results: The body weights of rats in both naproxen and diclofenac groups significantly decreased (p < ۰.۰۰۱ and p = ۰.۰۳, respectively) in comparison to the control group. Remarkably, the testis weight and total sperm number significantly decreased (p = ۰.۰۰۲, and p = ۰.۰۰۴ respectively) in the naproxen-administered rats only. The sperm viability percentage decreased significantly in both diclofenac and naproxen-administered groups (p ≤ ۰.۰۰۱ and p = ۰.۰۳ respectively). Moreover, there was a significant increase (p < ۰.۰۰۱) in the percentage of sperm morphological anomalies in both drug-administered groups. Also, the histological and morphometric findings exhibited severe histopathological appearances in the testes and seminiferous tubules parameters in both drug-administered groups. Conclusion: Naproxen and diclofenac administrations of rats before their puberty induce considerable harm to sperm parameters and testicular histology and morphometry. These severe toxic effects can lead to potential infertility.

Keywords:

Male infertility , Non-steroidal drugs , Pathology , Spermatozoa , Testis. , ناباروری مردان , داروهای غیر استروئیدی , پاتولوژی , اسپرم , بیضه.