Sertraline-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats： evaluation of possible underlying mechanisms

• Published in: Asian journal of andrology Vol. 19; no. 6; pp. 672 - 679
• Main Authors: Atli, Ozlem, Baysal, Merve, Aydogan-Kilic, Gozde, Kilic, Volkan, Ucarcan, Seyda, Karaduman, Burak, Ilgin, Sinem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01.11.2017; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Animals; Antidepressants; Cell Shape - drug effects; Couples; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; DNA damage; DNA Damage - drug effects; DNA damage; oxidative stress; reproductive toxicity; sertraline; DNA损伤; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug dosages; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood; Glutathione - metabolism; Illnesses; Infertility; Laboratory animals; Luteinizing Hormone - blood; Male; Malondialdehyde - metabolism; Morphology; Motility; Original; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reproductive system; Reproductive technologies; Rodents; Sertraline; Sertraline - pharmacology; Sperm; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility - drug effects; Spermatogenesis - drug effects; Spermatozoa - cytology; Spermatozoa - drug effects; Studies; Testis - drug effects; Testosterone; Testosterone - blood; Toxicity; 单因素方差分析; 可能机制; 生殖毒性; 精子形态; 组织病理学检查; 诱导; 雄性大鼠
• ISSN: 1008-682X; 1745-7262
• DOI: 10.4103/1008-682X.192637

This study was conducted to clarify the toxic effects of sertraline （SRT） on the reproductive system of male rats and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Rats were treated orally with SRT at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg kg-1 for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the treatment period, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology were investigated by computer-assisted sperm analysis system whereas sperm DNA damage was detected by comet assay. The oxidative status of the testes was investigated, and a histopathological examination was conducted. Serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）, and luteinizing hormone （LH） levels were measured to determine the effects of SRT on the spermatogenesis process. One-way ANOVA, post-hoc Dunnett＇s T3 test for the sperm comet assay, and post-hoc Tukey＇s test for the others were performed for statistical analysis. The results showed that SRT caused an increase in sperm DNA damage and induced histopathological lesions in all groups treated with SRT. There was abnormal sperm morphology and increased malondialdehyde （MDA） in the 10 mg kg-1 treatment group. More dramatic changes were observed in the 20 mg kg-1 treatment group. Decreased sperm count was accompanied by a significant increase in abnormal sperm morphology, DNA damage, and degeneration in cellular-tubular structures. Serum LH and testosterone levels were elevated in the 20 mg kg-~ treatment group. Decreased glutathione （GSH） and increased MDA were signs of enhanced oxidative stress （OS）. In conclusion, SRT induced testicular toxicity in a dose-dependent manner and OS is suggested as a crucial mechanism.