ABSTRACT
Famciclovir is a widely used antiviral drug it has a potent and selective inhibitory effect on many human herpes viruses. Some side effects to the drug were reported by the Food and Drug Administration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological effect of maximum therapeutic dose of famciclovir, antiviral drug, on the testes, sperms and chromosomes of albino rats. Forty male albino rats have been divided into four groups, ten rats for each. The first was served as a control group; the second was treated for 2 weeks with 135 mg/ kg b. w.t./ day. The third was treated for 4 weeks with the same dose; and the forth group was served as recovery group, where the animals were examined 4 weeks after stopping the drug. Rats were decapitate and testes specimens were taken and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. The sperms were examined for number, viability, motility and shape abnormalities. For chromosomal study, rats from each group were anaesthetized and the bone marrow cells were obtained by Rabello-Gay and Ahmed method. Microscopic examination of the testicular specimens, revealed, disorganized germinal epithelium with abnormal mitotic figures and apoptotic cells. Sperm analysis showed that sperm count, viability and motility were decreased and the sperm anomalies were increased. Chromosomal analysis of bone marrow cells showed many aberrations as chromosomal fragments, terminal chromatid deletions, ring chromosomes, chromosomal gaps, dicentric chromosomes, clumping of the chromosomes and polyploidy. All the former results were time dependent and reversible. The maximum therapeutic dose of famciclovir affect spermatogenesis and alter normal sperm parameters. There were also chromosomal aberrations which are time dependent and reversible. So it is preferred to avoid the maximum therapeutic dose and prolonged intake of the drug