Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Effect of atorvastatin on spermatogenesis in rats: A stereological study

Ekrem Akdeniz¹ , Mehmet Emin Onger², Mustafa Suat Bolat³, Fatih Firat⁴, Metin Gur³, Onder Cinar⁴, Mustafa Bakirtas⁵, Abdullah Ac?kgoz⁶, Fikret Erdemir⁷

¹Department of Urology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University; ²Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University; ³Urology Clinic, Gazi State Hospital, Samsun; ⁴Tokat State Hospital, Urology Clinic, Tokat; ⁵Department of Pathology, Samsun Training and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University, Samsun; ⁶Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Altinbas University, Istanbul; ⁷Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey.

For correspondence:- Ekrem Akdeniz Email: ekrem.akdeniz@saglik.gov.tr

Accepted: 11 November 2020 Published: 31 December 2020

Citation: Akdeniz E, Onger ME, Bolat MS, Firat F, Gur M, Cinar O, et al. Effect of atorvastatin on spermatogenesis in rats: A stereological study. Trop J Pharm Res 2020; 19(12):2609-2614 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v19i12.19

© 2020 The authors.
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Abstract

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