title: Morphometric-stereological and functional epididymal alterations and a decrease in fertility in rats treated with finasteride and after a 30-day post-treatment recovery period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate morphometric-stereological changes in the epididymal caput, sperm quality, and fertility parameters in rats treated with finasteride and after a 30-day post-treatment recovery period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study in a research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reproductive biology research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male and female Sprague Dawley rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatment with finasteride (5 mg/kg/day) for 56 days followed by 30 days without treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum hormone analyses, morphometric-stereological and ultrastructural evaluation of the epididymal caput, sperm transit time, natural mating, in utero insemination, sperm membrane integrity, and fertility parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum dihydrotestosterone levels in the finasteride group decreased by ~40% compared with that of control rats. Ultrastructural analysis revealed significant reductions in several morphometric-stereological parameters of the epididymal caput. All parameters recovered significantly in the post-treatment period. There was no alteration in daily sperm production in the finasteride group. However, significant reductions in sperm transit time, motility, sperm membrane integrity, and fertility parameters were observed in rats treated with finasteride.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with finasteride caused morphometric-stereological and functional changes in the epididymis and in sperm function that led to a reduction in fertility parameters. A 30-day post-treatment recovery period was insufficient to restore normal sperm motility, sperm transit time, and some fertility parameters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrick Vianna
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Mainara Ferreira
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.forename: Juliana Elaine
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Perobelli
authors.forename: Sílvio Roberto
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Consonni
authors.forename: Suzana de Fátima Paccola
authors.initials: Sde F
authors.lastname: Mesquita
authors.forename: Wilma de Grava
authors.initials: Wde G
authors.lastname: Kempinas
authors.forename: Luis Antonio Violin
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018120:Finasteride / Q000633:toxicity*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D018120:Finasteride