Author/Authors :
Gupta, Himanshu Department of Pharmaceutical Technology - Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology, Uttar Pradesh, India , Maheshwari, Kamal Kishore Department of Pharmacy - Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University, Uttar Pradesh, India , Kumar, Nitin Department of Pharmaceutical Technology - Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract :
Background: The antifertility effect of ampicillin (AMP, 40 mg/kg) and sulphasalazine
or salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP, 300,450 and 600 mg/kg) in male rats has
been reported earlier. The combination of AMP and SASP is generally used in certain
pathological conditions, but the combined effect of these two drugs on the fertility
is not clear. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the antifertility effect of
ampicillin and sulphasalazine combination in male rats.
Methods: In the present study, forty rats were randomly divided into five groups
(n=8). Group I served as the control, while Group II and III received AMP and SASP
at the doses of 20 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg respectively. Moreover, group IV and V received
the combination of SASP (100 mg/kg) and AMP (10 mg/kg). However, for
evaluating the reversible effect of the combination, a washout period of 30 days was
given in group V. After 45 days of drug treatment, each rat was sacrificed. The testes,
seminal vesicles and epididymis were dissected & weighed. Furthermore, fertility
tests, sperm characteristic analysis, histopathological studies, testosterone assay
and tissue biochemistry were performed. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and
in case ANOVA shows statistical differences, post hoc analysis was performed.
Results: A decrease in parameters related to fertility of males such as sperm count,
sperm motility, fertility ratio, serum testosterone level, glycogen and protein content
in sexual organs was observed. Although AMP and SASP significantly (p<0.001)
reduced the reproductive activity separately, but their combination was found to be
impairing the reproductive activity at a considerably lower dose. However, on withdrawing
the treatment, all these parameters were restored which was confirmed by
the histopathological analysis of the testis.
Conclusion: The combination produces synergistic antifertility effect in male rats
and the effect was reversible. The dose and efficacy of results could be extrapolated
in future clinical trials.
Keywords :
Ampicillin , Fertility , Serum testosterone assay , Sperm count , Sulphasalazine
