Spermatozoal abnormalities and male infertility in the rat following sulfasalazine treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the (reversible) antifertility effect in the male rat of sulfasalazine, a common therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.


METHODS
Sulfasalazine (120, 250 and 500 mg/kg) was administered for 60 days by oral gavage to sexually mature male rats.


RESULTS
Both motility of sperm and fertility of animals was significantly altered at the highest dose (500 mg/kg). Morphological abnormalities included alteration in the normal profile of the spermatozoa and presence of lesions on the sperm head.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that sulfasalazine brings about its antifertility effects by altering sperm motility and number of spermatozoa in addition to increased surface abnormalities, which render the spermatozoa infertile.
Sharma
R K
RK
Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
Kalla
N R
NR
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D051381:Rats; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012460:Sulfasalazine