Reproductive dysfunction in male rats following prenatal exposure to phenobarbital

The effect of prenatal exposure to phenobarbital (40mg/Kg/day from day 12 to day 19 of pregnancy) on sexual development of male offspring was investigated. Anogenital distance of the male offspring exposed to phenobarbital was significantly smaller. Testicular descent was delayed by 1-3 days, but the age of onset of puberty did not change. Fertility was reduced significantly (P less than .05) in phenobarbital exposed animals compared to that of control. Upon sacrifice, the weight of the seminal vesicles of treated rats was smaller compared to control, but the weight of liver was increased. Hormone measurement in adult age showed a significant reduction in both testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels in the phenobarbital exposed males. Moreover, prenatal treatment with phenobarbital produced an elevated level of cytoplasmic androgen receptor in the seminal vesicles of the adult rats. These findings suggest that phenobarbital treatment during prenatal development can produce some permanent alterations in the process of sexual maturation.