6-Mercaptopurine and spermatogenesis in the young rat.
In recent years, 6-MP treatment has been beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Since 6-MP and its metabolites interfere with various steps in nucleic acid biosynthesis, chronic use of 6-MP could theoretically alter normal cell turnover, including spermatogenesis. Therefore, we have investigated the effect of daily 6-MP administration on spermatogenesis in the young rat. 6-Mercaptopurine was administered in clinically relevant doses 24 and 40 mg/m2. Testicular weights of rats treated with 24 mg/m2 for 75 days or 40 mg/m2 for 25 days were not significantly different among 6-MP, pair-fed, or ad libitum chow-fed groups. Quantitation of the stages of seminiferous tubules or the number of homogenization-resistant, mature spermatids per testis were not affected by 6-MP treatment. In addition, 6-MP had no effect on serum testosterone or on HCG-stimulated testosterone release by the testes. These results suggest that chronic low-dose 6-MP therapy, as used in the treatment of IBD, may not carry as great a risk for suppression of spermatogenesis as theorized. Our study in animals indicates that evaluation of 6-MP and spermatogenesis in man is warranted.
Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, New York 11030.
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Karl
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Katz
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Daum
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Fisher
D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D015122:Mercaptopurine