According to GLOBOCAN 2008, there were 12.7 million new cancer cases and 7.6 million deaths. Among these, 56% of the cases and 64% of the deaths occurred in the economically developing world. Oral cancer accounted for 3-4% of all cancers. There were 263,900 oral cancer cases, with almost two-thirds of them occurring in men. Oral cancer is among the leading cancer types in south central Asian men. In India, oral cancer is the leading cancer type among men and third most common cancer among women [1].

Background and objectives:Advances in cancer chemotherapy have led to improved survival rates and poses greater emphasis on preserving quality of life post-treatment. Gonadotoxicity is a well-recognized side effect of many cancer chemotherapeutic agents. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of gemcitabine, an antimetabolite anticancer drug, on oogenesis in Swiss albino mice and its reversibility. Methods:Thirty six inbred female Swiss albino mice in diestrous phase were selected and divided into three groups of twelve each. Groups were labelled as A, B and Control. Groups A and B received 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of gemcitabine intraperitoneally. The control group received saline intraperitoneally. At the end of two weeks 6 mice were sacrificed from each group and the rest at the end of 2 months. Ovaries were studied histologically. Results: After 2 weeks, the ovaries of experimental group mice showed more number of atretic follicles as compared to control group (p<0.01). The diameter of corpus lutea was more, though a reduction in number was recorded in experimental group (p<0.05). Whereas after 2 months, both the experimental groups showed no difference in terms of atretic follicles, diameter and number of corpus lutea (p>0.05). Conclusions:These findings suggest that administration of gemcitabine may have profound effects on oogenesis and hence female fertility. This study also suggests that the effects are reversible.