Imatinib mesylate at therapeutic doses has no impact on folliculogenesis or spermatogenesis in a leukaemic mouse model.
Imatinib should be avoided in women planning to become pregnant or during pregnancy, due to a higher risk of congenital malformations. However, it is not known whether imatinib affects future potential for fertility. Here we analysed ovaries and testes from adult mice receiving imatinib, focusing on testicular and ovarian functions. Seven male and 7 female mice were orally treated with 150 mg/kg body weight/day imatinib for two months. No effects on folliculogenesis or spermatogenesis could be observed postmortem by histological examinations, suggesting that, at least in two mouse models of imatinib treatment this tyrosine kinase inhibitor does not reduce fertility.
Department of Haematology, Imperial College and Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK. beate.schultheis@marienhospital-herne.de
Beate
B
Schultheis
Bart A
BA
Nijmeijer
H
H
Yin
Roger G
RG
Gosden
Junia V
JV
Melo
D000818:Animals; D001549:Benzamides; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D007942:Leukemia, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*
D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases