Effect of pethidine on spermatogenesis in albino rats

Abstract

Objectives: To find the effect of pethidine on spermatogenesis in albino rats. Methods: Pethidine at the dose level of 5.0 mg and 7.5 mg/kg. body wt in 0.2 ml saline was administered intraperitoneally to male albino rats for 30 days, suitable saline treated control group was maintained. Gonadosomatic index, spermatogenic elements, cauda epididymal sperm count, accessory sex organ weights were considered to study the effect of pethidine. Results: Pethidine administered at the dose level of 5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg body wt has decreased the testis weight significantly (1101.51 ± 56.78 mg/100 gm and 956.28 ± 36.24 mg/100 gm) when compared to the saline treated controls (1237.19 ± 48.68 mg/100 gm). Similarly the diameter of testis and seminiferous tubules is also reduced in pethidine treated albino rats (3.21 ±0.16 mm, 3.05 ± 0.21 mm and 156.40 ± 9.4 ?m, 138.24 ± 11.7 ?m respectively from 3.72 ± 0.12 mm and 192.78 ± 10.4 ?m) while the total cholesterol content of the testis increased (8.16 ± 1.26 mg/gm and 10.21 ± 2.05 mg/gm from 5.40 ± 0.89 mg/gm). Pethidine has inhibited the process of spermatogenesis and reduced the cauda epididymal sperm count, accessory sex organ weights, and the protein and glycogen contents of the testis. Conclusion: Pethidine showed a dose dependent inhibition on the gravimetric, micrometric and spermatogenic indices.