Effect of reserpine [serpasil] on male fertility in rats

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 40 male rats divided into four equal groups Two test groups receiving reserpine 0.1 mg/kg subcutaneously for 30 and 60 consecutive days and the other two received distilled water subcutaneously for the same period and served as controls. Sex organs weights, semen analysis, level of testosterone as well as histopathological examination were the criteria used to evaluate the reproductive performance of treated male rats. Reserpine significantly decreased testicular weight, sperm cells concentration, live sperms, percentage of sperm motility, velocity and plasma testosterone level. A significant increase in the percentage of sperm abnormalities was observed in treated groups. Histopathologically, reserpine induced mild to severe degenerative changes in the testes