Adverse Effects Of Carprofen And Meloxicam In Male Rats

The present study was conducted to investigate some adverse effects of carprofen and meloxicam in albino male rats on some male reproductive parameters including index weight ( testes, epididymis and other accessory genital glands), sperm quality (sperm motility, sperm abnormalities and sperm count) ,some biochemical parameters(ALT,AST, serum creatinine ,serum total protein, albumin, globulin and serum testosterone)) as well as hemogram and histopathological examination of the selected organs. Twenty seven male albino rats of 130-150 gm body weight and 3 months age were divided into 3 groups each of 9 rats. The first group was injected0.2ml saline i/m once daily for 7 days and served as control group. The second group was injected i/m once daily for 7 days with a carprofen at dose of 5.2mg/kg b.wt. The third group was injected i/m once daily for 7 days meloxicam at dose of 1.2 mg/Kg b.wt. Rats were kept under hygienic measures for 56 days then blood samples was taken and animals were scarified to obtain semen sample for semen analysis and organs for histopathological examination. Results revealed that carprofen and meloxicam exerted an deleterious effects on male fertility as they impaired semen quality manifested by reduced sperm count, motility and increasing the number of abnormal sperm. The testosterone level, index weight of testes, epididymis and other accessory genital glands were significantly decreased. Moreover, both drugs induced, neutropenia and lymphopenia in addition meloxicam induced leucopenia, eosinophilia and monocytopenia. Both drugs induced no changes in liver and kidney functions. It could be concluded that carprofen or meloxicam repeated administration induced deleterious adverse effects on male fertility so they must be used with care to avoid possible fertility troubles especially during breeding season.