The present study was performed on pregnant female mice, by intrapertionealy injection of Camcolit (antipsychotic drug) at a daily dose of 25 mg /kg B.W. for 31 day. The treatment started 10 days after conception, during gestation and through postnatal weaning of the male offspring on neonatal development of the mouse till they reach 21 days, to describe the indirect effect of low therapeutic dose of lithium intake on reproductive organs of immature male mice through the injections of mother. Controls were given equimolar amounts of saline. Treatment of mothers by Camcolit (lithium carbonate) caused no mortality or deformed embryos. However, the treatment led to increase of baby body weight significantly accompanied by alteration in testosterone parameters. Also, degenerative changes in the testis, epididymis and vas deference indicated by a reduction in spermatogenesis are detected. The vacuolation of Leydig cells and the atrophy of Sertoli cells extensions between germ cells were detected. The body weight, testosterone level, spermatogenetic activity, and histology of testis, epididymis, vas deferens, were analyzed. In conclusion, the present study provides some morphological, hormonal and histological results suggesting adverse effects of chronic lithium administration on the reproductive system of immature male mice. Since some of these effects may not necessarily be reversible, these results raised concerns in the administration of this antipsychotic drug on a chronic basis usually recommended for prophylactic purposes.
Key words: Lithium, reproductive system, immature male mice, testosterone
|
