Abstract

Quetiapine is one of the most commonly prescribed antipsychotics to treat schizophrenia in adults, in particular. In this study, quetiapine’s effects were assessed on healthy sperm production in rats at repeated-pharmacological doses. Additionally, the effects of quetiapine on oxidative status and hormonal balance were also evaluated in rats. Quetiapine was administered to rats orally at 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg body weight doses for 28 days. At the end of this period, body and organ weights were measured, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were determined, sperm damage was assessed, and histopathological analysis of testicular tissue was performed. Additionally, serum FSH, LH, and testosterone levels as male reproductive hormones were measured. Catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and malondialdehyde levels were determined for evaluating the oxidative status of testicular tissue. The findings obtained in this study showed that relative epididymis weights and sperm concentration decreased and abnormal sperm morphology increased in quetiapine-administered rats. Irregularity of typical architecture of the seminiferous tubules and germinal cell disorganization was observed in testicular sections of 20 and 40 mg/kg quetiapine-administered rats. Further, serum LH and testosterone levels decreased in 20 and 40 mg/kg quetiapine-administered rats. Additionally, decreased catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in testicular tissue of quetiapine-administered rats and increased malondialdehyde levels in testicular tissue of 40 mg/kg quetiapine-administered rats were measured. In conclusion, quetiapine treatment decreased sperm quality, altered hormone levels, and induced oxidative stress may be considered potential contributors to this adverse effect.

摘要

喹硫平是治疗成人精神分裂症最常用的抗精神病药物之一。在这项研究中，在重复药理学剂量下评估了喹硫平对大鼠健康精子产生的影响。此外，还在大鼠中评估了喹硫平对氧化状态和激素平衡的影响。以 10、20 和 40 mg/kg 体重剂量口服给予大鼠喹硫平 28 天。在此期间结束时，测量体重和器官重量，测定精子浓度、活力和形态，评估精子损伤，并进行睾丸组织的组织病理学分析。此外，还测量了作为男性生殖激素的血清 FSH、LH 和睾酮水平。过氧化氢酶、超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽、并测定丙二醛水平以评估睾丸组织的氧化状态。本研究中获得的结果表明，服用喹硫平的大鼠的相对附睾重量和精子浓度降低，异常精子形态增加。在 20 和 40 mg/kg 喹硫平给药的大鼠的睾丸切片中观察到曲细精管的典型结构不规则和生殖细胞解体。此外，20 和 40 mg/kg 喹硫平给药大鼠的血清 LH 和睾酮水平下降。此外，测量了服用喹硫平的大鼠睾丸组织中过氧化氢酶和超氧化物歧化酶活性的降低以及服用 40 mg/kg 喹硫平的大鼠睾丸组织中丙二醛水平的升高。综上所述，