Open AccessEffect of atorvastatin on spermatogenesis in rats: A stereological study
Author(s) -
Ekrem Akdeniz,
Mehmet Emin Önger,
Mustafa Suat Bolat,
Fatih Fırat,
Metin Gür,
Önder Çınar,
Mustafa Bakırtaş,
Aydan Açıkgöz,
Fikret Erdemır
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
tropical journal of pharmaceutical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.209
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 1596-5996
pISSN - 1596-9827
DOI - 10.4314/tjpr.v19i12.19
Subject(s) - atorvastatin , spermatogenesis , medicine , endocrinology , luteinizing hormone , testosterone (patch) , sertoli cell , triglyceride , follicle stimulating hormone , stereology , follicle , andrology , cholesterol , biology , hormone , chemistry
Purpose: To investigate the effects of oral atorvastatin on spermatogenesis in a rat model.Methods: Rats were equally assigned into control and study groups, the latter receiving atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day). At the end of 12 weeks, spermatogenetic activity was evaluated using stereological and optical fractionator methods. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured using micro–ELISA kits. Total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL - C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also measured by enzymatic colorimetric assays.Results: Testicular stereological analysis revealed that atorvastatin reduced Sertoli cell numbers (p < 0.001), spermatogonia (p < 0.001), spermatocytes (p < 0.001), and seminiferous tubule diameters (p < 0.001). LDL – C (p = 0.01) and TG (p = 0.01) values were significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in FSH (p = 0.44), LH (p = 0.48),and TT (p = 0.06) levels between the groups.Conclusion: The findings show that atorvastatin causes deleterious effects on rat spermatogenesis. It should therefore be used with caution in clinical practice owing to its potential adverse effects, especially on male fertility.
Keywords: Statin, Atorvastatin, Spermatogenesis, Stereology, Testis