Abstract

Antifertility effect of Sulfasalazine in male albino rats.

Author(s): K.Muthu, P.Krishnamoorthy

To evaluate the antifertility activity of the Sulfasalazine by oral administration in male albino rats. Doses of 450 mg/kg/b.wt and 500 mg/kg body weight of Sulfasalazine was administered orally for 60 days to adult male rats. On day 61, the rats were sacrificed and the testis and accessory reproductive organs were removed and weighed. The organs were processed for biochemical estimation and histologicalwork. Treatmentwith Sulfasalazine resulted in decrease in the weights of testis and accessory reproductive organs. The diameters of testis, seminiferous tubules and Leydig cell nucleus were decreased. The spermatogenic elements, like spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids in the testis were reduced significantly as well as the sperm count in cauda epididymis. There was a significant reduction in the protein, glycogen, DNA and RNA contents and the activity of acid phosphatase in the testis of drug treated rats compared with the control. The cholesterol content and the alkaline phophatase activity were increased significantly in treated rats. The level of testosterone and Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were significantly decreased at both treated rats when compared to control. Sulfasalazine arrests spermatogenesis in male albino rats.