Abstract

EFFECT OF CYPROHEPTADINE ON THE TESTIS AND SERA LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE AND FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONES IN ADULT MALE WISTAR RATS

Ohalete Uzoma Onyedikachi*, Ofoego Uzozie Chikere and Akukwu Darlington Cyprian

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Abstract

Cyproheptadine is one of the first-generation H1-antihistamine drugs. Asides its well-known antihistamine effects, its appetite-stimulating effect have been well documented and as a result prescribed for weight gain. This study evaluated the effect of cyproheptadine on testicular histology, sera testosterone and Follicle stimulating hormone levels as well as sperm parameters (count, mortality and morphology) in adult male Wistar rat model. A total of twenty adult male Wistar rats were grouped into four groups (A-D) of five rats each. Group A served as control and received only feed and distilled water. Groups B-D served as test groups and received 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg bw of cyproheptadine orally and once daily respectively for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and their testes, sera samples and semen samples collected and evaluated for histopathological investigations, testosterone levels and sperm parameters (count, motility and morphology) respectively. Results obtained showed that cyproheptadine caused dose dependent reductions in both sera testosterone and Follicle stimulating hormone levels (p˂0.05). However, cyproheptadine didn’t impair negatively on the testicular architecture and sperm parameters. Findings of this research thus suggests that sub- chronic oral use of cyproheptadine may impair fertility in males.

Keywords: Cyproheptadine, Testosterone, Follicle stimulating hormone, Testis.