Cyclophosphamide-induced structural and biochemical changes in testis and epididymidis of rats.

ABSTRACT

Effect of cyclophosphamide administration (100 mg/kg body weight, ip, for 5 consecutive days) was studied on albino rat testis and epididymidis after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment. Cyclophosphamide decreased testis and cauda epididymidal weights, sperm count, motile and viable spermatozoa and increased percentage of abnormal spermatozoa. The biochemical changes observed in the testis include increase in acid and alkaline phosphatase activities and decrease in proteins and activity of lactate dehydrogenase. The levels of lipids and total cholesterol were not affected. In the epididymidis cyclophosphamide caused decrease in the tubular diameter and increase in its epithelial height. It is concluded that cyclophosphamide brings about structural and biochemical changes in the testis and epididymidis.