Effects of isotretinoin on spermatogenesis of rats.
BACKGROUND
The results of studies on the effects of retinoids on spermatogenesis are controversial.


OBJECTIVE
We evaluated time- and dose-dependent effects of isotretinoin on spermatogenic activity by apoptosis, cyclin D1, E2F, p53 expressions, and Johnsen's scores.


METHODS
The rats were divided into three groups. In the 1st group (n = 18), 1 mg/mL/day and in the 2nd group (n = 18) 2 mg/mL/day isotretinoin were administered for 21 days. Flower oil was given to the 3rd (n = 6) control group. On the 7th (groups 1a and 2a), 14th (groups 1b and 2b), and 21st (groups 1c and 2c) days, six rats from the 1st group and six rats from the 2nd group were sacrificed and bilateral orchiectomy was done.


RESULTS
The number of cyclin D1 and E2F-positive cells decreased nonsignificantly parallel to days in the 1st group, whereas there was a statistically significant decrease in the 2nd group for the same cells. The p53-positive cells in groups 1c and 2c were increased significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies on the effects of retinoids on spermatogenesis should be conducted. It may be wise to administer contraception to male patients, especially during high-dose and long-term retinoid therapy.
Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty of Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey. gencoglan75@hotmail.com
Gulsum
G
Gencoglan
Murat
M
Tosun
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000378:metabolism; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D050684:E2F Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D050684:E2F Transcription Factors; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D019938:Cyclin D1; D015474:Isotretinoin