Methamphetamine induces abnormal sperm morphology, low sperm concentration and apoptosis in the testis of male rats

Abstract

Methamphetamine has been reported to be an important drug in the field of reproductive toxicology. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of methamphetamine administrations on sperm morphology, sperm concentration and apoptotic activity inside seminiferous tubule in male rats. Rats were administered a dose of 8 mg kg(-1) , intraperitoneally (IP), for acute group and a dose of 4 mg kg(-1) , IP, once daily for 14 days for sub-acute group. Percentage of normal sperm morphology was decreased in acute group when compared with control. Total numbers of sperm count were significantly decreased in acute and sub-acute groups. Apoptotic activities were most abundant in the seminiferous tubules of acute treated animals with a highly significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells per tubule. Those effects of methamphetamine seem to be dose-dependent. The results suggest that methamphetamine not only works as drug of abuse in central nervous system, but also in gametogenesis of males.

Administration of high dose of methamphetamine has detrimental effects on sperm parameters and DNA integrity in mice

“…Our findings were similar to the study by Alavi and colleagues which have demonstrated that frequent consumption of high dosage of MA may reduce the number of sperm in the epididymis tail and has negative effects on reproductive system in male rats (34). Additionally, several experimental studies showed that administration of different dose of MA caused decreasing in the sperm count and normal morphology (35, 36). …”

“…Recently, it was shown that MA can induce apoptosis in testicular germ cells and epididymal spermatozoa in laboratory animals (35). …”

GABAergic Alterations in the Rat Testis after Methamphetamine Exposure

“…Several studies have reported impairments of testis, sperm quality and endocrine disruption after METH exposure 7-10. Apoptosis of Leydig cells and a decrease of serum testosterone were found 8, 9. Furthermore, METH administration resulted in the reduction of progesterone and estrogen receptor expression in testis 9.…”

Alteration of catecholamine concentrations in rat testis after methamphetamine exposure

“…Methamphetamine (METH) administration leads to changes in dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) neurotransmission (Seiden et al ., ). Previous studies demonstrated that METH increases apoptotic cells (Nudmamud‐Thanoi & Thanoi, ) and reduces proliferation of spermatogonia in rat testis (Alavi et al ., ). Moreover, dopaminergic and adrenergic receptors are expressed in testis and spermatozoa (Adeoya‐Osiguwa & Fraser, ; Otth et al ., ).…”