Abstract

L. C. Saalu *, L. A. Enye and A. A. Osinubi

Doxorubicin (DOX) also known as hydroxydaunorubicin is a drug used in cancer chemotherapy. It is one of the earliest compounds derived from an antibiotic group of chemotherapy known as anthracycline. It strives to kill malignant cells and produces tumor regression in a variety of human neoplasms. However, its clinical usefulness is limited by its proven toxicity to certain organs particularly the heart and the kidney. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of a single dose of DOX on the seminiferous tubulesof rats. Forty male adult (11 to 13 weeks old) wistar rats weighing 185-210 g were used for this research work. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of ten rats each. Group 1 rats were given a single dose of normal saline (2.5 ml/kg) body weight ip and then were sacrificed a day after. Group 2 animals had 10 mg DOX per kg body weight intraperitoneally (ip) as a single dose. These rats were sacrificed the day after DOX administration. Group 3 animals had 10 mg DOX per kg body weight ip as a single dose but were sacrificed on the 56th day. Group 4 rats had similar treatment as those in group 3, except that they were sacrificed at the end of the 16th week after DOX administration. The gross anatomical parameters assessed included the testicular weights and volumes while stereological parameters estimated include: diameter and cross-sectional area of the seminiferous tubules; number of profiles per unit area and numerical density of seminiferous tubules. The results showed that there was a general destruction along with degeneration of cells of the seminiferous epithelium following DOX administration. There was also a demonstratable progressive worsening of the testicular derangement with passage of time following DOX challenge. We conclude that DOX has a deleterious effect on the testis.