Effects of dipyrone and acetylsalicylic acid on contractions of distal cauda epididymis duct, serum testosterone and sperm count in rats

Abstract

The effects of dipyrone and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on male fertility are still not fully understood, mainly considering the epididymis as a putative target for their anti‐fertility effects. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of dipyrone and ASA on the contractions of distal cauda epididymis duct, serum testosterone levels and sperm parameters in rats. Firstly, we checked the in vitro effects of dipyrone and ASA (10–1000 μM) on the contractions of distal cauda epididymis duct by pharmacological experiments. We also evaluated the effects of in vivo treatment with dipyrone and ASA 100 mg/kg (p.o.) for 15 days on epididymal duct contractions, serum testosterone levels and sperm parameters. In vitro dipyrone or ASA decreased the epididymal duct contractions induced by phenylephrine or carbachol. We observed that in vivo treatment with both drugs decreased the daily sperm production, serum testosterone levels and sperm count through epididymis without altering the epididymal duct contractions and sperm transit time through epididymis. In conclusion, in vitro dipyrone and ASA were able to diminish the contractions of epididymal duct, whilst in vivo administration decreased the sperm count throughout epididymis as a consequence of a low sperm production caused by reduced testosterone levels.

Effects of major analgesics on male fertility: A systematic literature review

“…In the study of Martins et al . (2021) , conducted on Wistar rats, the effects of aspirin (AAS) and dipyrone on seminal quality were examined.…”

“…A singular study concerning the adverse effects of dipyrone on male fertility was identified. Martins et al . (2021) adopted a methodology similar to the tests conducted with aspirin (AAS).…”

“…Despite the substantial research on the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on male fertility, scant research is available in databases analyzing the impacts of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on seminal quality. Hence, only three articles were uncovered in this review that correlate the use of the drug with its anti-androgenic properties and detrimental effects on male fertility ( Albert et al ., 2013 ; Banihani & Shatnawi, 2020 ; Martins et al ., 2021 ). Exposure to ASA in human renal cortex cells at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.1mM resulted in a notable reduction in testosterone levels of approximately 18% and 17%, respectively, over 24 hours, and approximately 14% and 12%, respectively, over 48 hours ( Albert et al ., 2013 ).…”

“…In the study of Martins et al (2021), conducted on Wistar rats, the effects of aspirin (AAS) and dipyrone on seminal quality were examined. The aspirin group comprised 7 rats, administered a dose of 100 mg/kg of the drug over a 15-day period.…”

“…A singular study concerning the adverse effects of dipyrone on male fertility was identified. Martins et al (2021) adopted a methodology similar to the tests conducted with aspirin (AAS). Animals subjected to this medication exhibited a 60% reduction in testosterone levels, a 55.04% decrease in daily sperm production, and a 54.42% reduction in the number of spermatids compared to the control group.…”