Preventive role of magnesium sulphate on dexamethasone induced testicular injury in albino rats.
To evaluate the protection provided by magnesium sulphate on corticosteroid-induced testicular injury in albino rats.



This experimental study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August 1 to 20, 2012, and comprised albino rats. About 90-120 days old and weighing 200-230 gm. They were divided into 3 groups. Group A comprised controls, Group B animals were administered dexamethasone 4mg/kg body weight per day intra-peritoneally, and Group C animals were given magnesium sulphate 20mg/kg body weight per day intramuscularly, with dexamethasone at same dose as in Group B. Rats were sacrifised at the end of study period after recording their final weight. A midline abdominal incision was made and extended downward to the scrotum. Both testes were removed. Sections from both testes were prepared and stained with periodic acid-Schiff -Iron Haematoxylin.



Of the 30 rats, each group had 10(33.33%). The mean final body weight was 251.80±1.35gm in Group A, 204.60±1.88gm in Group B and 236.00±2.52gm in Group C. The mean diameter of seminiferous tubules was 268.40±7.30mm in Group A, 177.00±10.90mm in Group B and 238.40±2.42mm in Group C. The mean thickness of germinal epithelium was 85.26±1.93mm, 32.40±3.26mm and 60.40±3.18mm in the three groups, respectively.



The use of dexamethasone caused testicular injury, which ameliorated significantly by the concomitant use of magnesium sulphate.
Department of Anatomy, Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Hamdard University, Karachi.
Hemant
H
Kumar
Gaju Khan Medical College, Swabi, KPK.
Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi.
Aisha
A
Qamar
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D003907:Dexamethasone
 Corticosteroid, dexamethasone, testicular injury, seminiferous tubules, magnesium sulphate