Effect of sulfasalazine and its analogs on fertility in male rats

Several derivatives of sulfasalazine were tested for their antifertility activity in male rats. The compounds were administered to groups of rats daily by oral gavage for 28 days. Fertility of the rats treated with sulfasalazine or compound CH 74A was reduced, while other compounds had no effect. In a subsequent experiment, therefore, only the active compounds were studied further. Fertility of rats treated with sulfasalazine, compound CH 74A, CH 99A or sulfapyridine was reduced during 40 days of treatment. At the end of treatment, body weights were reduced in higher dose groups of sulfasalazine, CH 74A and sulfapyridine compared to control animals. The weights of the testes, prostate or seminal vesicle were not altered by any of the treatments. On the other hand, weight of the epididymides decreased in all higher dose groups except in CH 99A-treated animals. Sperm motility decreased in all the treated rats except in animals treated with low dose of sulfapyridine, whereas epididymal sperm count decreased in all but CH 99A-treated animals. These results suggest that sulfasalazine and its derivatives bring about their antifertility effects by decreasing sperm motility and/or number of spermatozoa.