Long-term ofloxacin testicular toxicity: an experimental study

• Published in: Andrologia Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 92 - 96
• Main Authors: EL-Harouny, M. A., Zalata, A. A., Naser, M. E., Abo El-Atta, H. M., El-Shawaf, I. M., Mostafa, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2010; Wiley-Blackwell
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; Body Weight - drug effects; Epididymis; Epididymis - drug effects; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Male; Male genital diseases; male infertility; Medical sciences; Ofloxacin - toxicity; ofloxaxin; Organ Size - drug effects; quinolones; Rats; Spermatogenesis - drug effects; Sterility. Assisted procreation; Testis - drug effects; Testis - pathology; testosterone; Androgen; Toxicity; Male genital duct; Ofloxacin; Testicle; Male genital system; male infertility; ofloxaxin; Testosterone; Fluoroquinolone derivatives; Epididymis; Reproduction; Male sterility; quinolones; Testicular hormone; Sex steroid hormone; Antibacterial agent; Male genital diseases; Quinolone derivatives
• ISSN: 0303-4569; 1439-0272
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2009.00961.x

Summary The aim of this study was to assess the long‐term toxic effect of ofloxacin on the testes and epididymides of 72 adult male albino rats. The rats were divided into group A and group B. Group A, which received ofloxacin for 14 days, was subdivided into two subgroups; LD‐14 received low dose 72 mg KBW−1 daily and HD‐14 received high dose 216 mg KBW−1 daily. Group B, which received ofloxacin for 28 days, was subdivided into two subgroups; LD‐28 received 72 mg KBW−1 and HD‐28 received 216 mg KBW−1 daily. Two matched control groups were followed up for 14 and 28 days respectively. The animals were evaluated for body weight, testicular weight, relative testicular weight, serum testosterone (T), epididymal sperm analysis (sperm count, motility, morphology, curvilinear velocity, linear velocity and linearity index) and testicular histopathology. The adverse effects of ofloxacin were correlated with increased treatment duration and/or dose. It is concluded that long‐term ofloxacin has a direct detrimental effect on the testicles of albino rats at the studied doses and durations.