Lack of Reproductive Toxicity in Adult Male Rats Exposed to Interferon-Alpha.
Interferon-alpha (IFN- α), a type I IFN, is a protein with antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunoregulatory activities, widely used in the treatment of several types of cancers as well as hepatitis B and C. Decrease of libido and erectile dysfunction are commonly reported by male patients during treatment of chronic hepatitis C with IFN- α . However, IFN therapy-associated underlying factors attributed to sexual dysfunction are still not well defined. Currently, there are few studies investigating the effects of IFN on male reproductive system functions. Given that, the aim of the present investigation was to examine effects of subchronic exposure to IFN- α (5 × 10(4) U/kg and 10 × 10(4) U/kg, 30 d) on serum hormones, sperm parameters, fertility, and testicular and epididymal hystopathology and morphometry in adult male Wistar rats. None of the evaluated parameters was markedly altered by IFN- α . Thus, our results suggest that exposure to IFN- α , in this experimental design, did not adversely affect sperm quality and fertile capacity of male rats.
a Laboratory of Biology and Toxicology of Reproduction and Development, Department of Morphology , Institute of Biosciences, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista , Botucatu , São Paulo , Brazil.
Josiane de Lima
Jde L
Rosa
a Laboratory of Biology and Toxicology of Reproduction and Development, Department of Morphology , Institute of Biosciences, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista , Botucatu , São Paulo , Brazil.
Marilia Martins
MM
Cavariani
a Laboratory of Biology and Toxicology of Reproduction and Development, Department of Morphology , Institute of Biosciences, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista , Botucatu , São Paulo , Brazil.
Cibele dos Santos
Cdos S
Borges
a Laboratory of Biology and Toxicology of Reproduction and Development, Department of Morphology , Institute of Biosciences, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista , Botucatu , São Paulo , Brazil.
Gabriel Adan Araújo
GA
Leite
b Department of Morphology, Stomatology and Physiology, School of Dentistry , USP-Universidade de São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , São Paulo , Brazil.
Janete Aparecida
JA
Anselmo-Franci
a Laboratory of Biology and Toxicology of Reproduction and Development, Department of Morphology , Institute of Biosciences, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista , Botucatu , São Paulo , Brazil.
Wilma De Grava
Wde G
Kempinas
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004822:Epididymis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013737:Testis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D059550:Toxicity Tests, Subchronic
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006728:Hormones; D016898:Interferon-alpha