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Hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis derangement following chronic phenytoin–levetiracetam adjunctive treatment in male Wistar rats
Author(s) -
Osuntokun Opeyemi S.,
Olayiwola Gbola,
Atere Tope G.,
Adekomi Damilare A.,
Adedokun Kabiru I.,
Oladokun Olayemi O.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/and.13788
Subject(s) - levetiracetam , medicine , endocrinology , testosterone (patch) , saline , hypothalamus , hormone , phenytoin , epilepsy , psychiatry
The effects of phenytoin (PHT), levetiracetam (LEV) or their adjunctive treatment on the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis in male Wistar rats were determined. Twenty‐eight male rats (150–180 g) were randomised into four groups ( N = 7). Groups I to IV received intraperitoneal treatment of either normal saline (0.2 ml i.p) or PHT (50 mg/kg i.p) or LEV (50 mg/kg) or PHT (25 mg/kg) and LEV (25 mg/kg) combination for 28 days. The organ weight, concentrations of reproductive hormones and semen profile were determined, while the brain, epididymis and testis were preserved in 10% neutral‐buffered formalin for the histomorphological study. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results were presented as mean ± SEM in graphs or tables, while the level of significance was taken at p < .05. The semen profile was altered significantly in all the treatment groups. The gonadotrophic releasing hormone, luteinising hormone and testosterone concentration decreased significantly in the PHT‐ and PHT + LEV‐treated groups compared with control. There were various disruptions in the hypothalamus, pituitary and testis of the PHT‐ and PHT + LEV adjunctive‐treated rats. In conclusion, chronic PHT + LEV treatment may pose deleterious effects on the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis than single treatment of either of the two drugs in male rats.