Effect of folic acid supplementation on acute effects of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole on histopathological changes in the testes of adult male rats

Ehsan Salarkia,1,* Arezoo saberi,2

1. Kerman Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran
2. Kerman Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Introduction

Male infertility has been reported following long-term sulfasalazine use for ulcerative colitis treatment. however, the precise effects of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (tmp/smx) on sperm quality is controversial. this study was designed to evaluate the effects of tmp/smx and its co-administration with folic acid on sperm quality and histological changes of testis in male rats.

Methods

In this experimental study, 48 male wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups (n=6). group i served as the control and other groups, ii to xiii, received tmp/smx (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg; i.p.), folic acid (1 mg/kg; i.p.) or their combination for 14 days. sperm numbers, motility and viability were evaluated on a hemocytometer. hematoxylin and eosin (h&e) stained testes were evaluated for the number of leydig cells, vascularity, spermatids, spermatocytes and means of seminiferous tubules diameter (mstd) under light microscopy. the data were analyzed by one-way anova followed by post-hoc dunnet test using spss 20.

Results

Tmp/smx treatment for 14 days caused a significant decrease in the percentage of sperm number, motility and viability (p<0.001) compared with the control group. also, high doses of tmp/smx were associated with a significant decrease in structural abnormalities, including mstd, spermatids and spermatogonia, compared to vehicle group (p<0.001). folic acid co-administration with tmp/smx partially reversed the decrease in sperm quality and structural abnormalities of high doses of tmp/smx (60 and 120 mg/kg) (p<0.001).

Conclusion

The data showed the adverse effects of tmp/smx on sperm quality and testes morphology which was protective partially by folic acid co-administration in rats.

Keywords

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, folic acid, testis, sperm quality, rats