Effect of clomiphene citrate on the testis, epididymis and accessory sex glands of the musk shrew (Suncus murinus L.).
The effects of oral administration of clomiphene citrate (50 mg/kg body weight) on the testis, epididymis and accessory sex glands of the musk shrew were investigated. The drug induced duration-dependent alterations in the weight and histology of these organs. The drug produced significant reduction in testicular weight with severe degenerative changes in seminiferous tubules; Leydig cells were also atrophied. However, no significant change was found in the levels of protein, RNA and DNA in the testes of drug-treated animals as compared with controls. Epididymis in drug-treated shrews exhibited significant decrease in weight and regressive histological changes. Spermatozoa collected from the cauda epididymidis of drug-treated shrews were immotile and often fragmented. Clomiphene treatment also induced regressive histological changes in the prostate and ampullary gland accompanied by significant decrease in the weight. The treatment also caused significant decrease in the level of fructose in the ampullary glands. Following withdrawal of the drug, the reproductive organs returned to their normal state. Full recovery was noticed in the accessory sex glands 28 days after drug withdrawal. However, full spermatogenic activity and normal epididymal histology were achieved only after 56 days The mechanism of action of clomiphene on the male reproductive organs is briefly discussed.
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D012788:Shrews / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D002996:Clomiphene