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Administration of high dose of methamphetamine has detrimental effects on sperm parameters and DNA integrity in mice
Mojdeh Sabour1,2, Arezoo Khoradmehr2, Seyyed Mehdi Kalantar2,3
1Islamic Azad University of Ashkhezar, Yazd, Iran.
Background:
Methamphetamine (MA) was shown to have harmful effects on male reproductive system.
Objective:
To investigate probable effects of daily administration of MA on sperm parameters and chromatin/DNA integrity in mouse.
Material And Methods:
Thirty-five NMRI male mice were divided into five groups including low, medium, and high dosage groups which were injected intraperitoneally with 4, 8 and 15 mg/kg/day for 35 days, respectively. Normal saline was injected in sham group and no medications were used in control group. Then, the mice were killed and caudal epididymis of each animal was cut and placed in Ham's F10 medium for sperm retrieval. To evaluate sperm chromatin abnormalities, the aniline blue, toluidine blue and chromomycine A3 were used. For sperm DNA integrity and apoptosis, the acridine orange, sperm chromatin dispersion, and TUNEL assay were applied. For sperm morphology, Papanicolaou staining was done.
Results:
Normal morphology and progressive motility of spermatozoa decreased in medium and high dosage groups in comparison with the control group (p=0.035). There was a significant increase in rate of aniline blue, toluidine blue, and chromomycine A3 positive spermatozoa in high dosage group. In a similar manner, there was an increase in rates of acridine orange, TUNEL and sperm chromatin dispersion positive sperm cells in high dosage group with respect to others.
Conclusion:
MA abuse in a dose-dependent manner could have detrimental effects on male reproductive indices including sperm parameters and sperm chromatin/DNA integrity in mice.
Insights
Methamphetamine (MA) negatively impacts male mouse reproductive health. Daily MA administration in higher doses significantly reduced sperm quality and damaged sperm DNA and chromatin integrity.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Male Infertility Research
- Drug-Induced Reproductive Harm
Background:
- Methamphetamine (MA) is known to cause adverse effects on the male reproductive system.
- Understanding the specific impacts of MA on reproductive health is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of daily methamphetamine administration on sperm parameters.
- To assess the impact of MA on sperm chromatin and DNA integrity in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- NMRI male mice were administered varying doses of MA (4, 8, 15 mg/kg/day) for 35 days.
- Sperm were retrieved from the caudal epididymis for analysis.
- Sperm morphology, motility, chromatin abnormalities (aniline blue, toluidine blue, chromomycine A3), DNA integrity (acridine orange, sperm chromatin dispersion, TUNEL assay), and apoptosis were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Sperm morphology and progressive motility significantly decreased in medium and high MA dosage groups.
- A significant increase in sperm chromatin abnormalities was observed in the high dosage group.
- Elevated rates of DNA damage and apoptosis markers were noted in sperm from mice exposed to high MA doses.
Conclusions:
- Methamphetamine abuse has dose-dependent detrimental effects on male reproductive indices.
- MA exposure impairs sperm parameters and compromises sperm chromatin/DNA integrity in mice.
- These findings highlight the reproductive risks associated with methamphetamine use.
