Microscopic study of the effect of Ciprofloxacin on albino rat testis, epididymis and vas deferens and the response of these effects to N-acetyl cysteine

Abstract

The present work investigated the effect of ciprofloxacin on the structure of the testis, the epididymis and the vas deferens of albino rats. Moreover, it evaluated the possible protective effect of N-acetylcysteine on these structures when administrated concurrently with ciprofloxacin. Fifty adult male albino rats were used in this study. Animals were subdivided into four groups. Group A: consisted of 20 rats divided into A1 (negative control): consisted of 10 rats that received only water and food for 10 days. A2 (positive control): consisted of 10 rats that received 50 mg/kg N-acetylcysteine, single dose, by a stomach tube daily for 10 days. Group B: consisted of 10 rats that received 150 mg/kg ciprofloxacin, divided into two equal doses, by a stomach tube daily for 10 days. Group C: consisted of 10 rats that received 150 mg/kg ciprofloxacin, divided into two equal doses, and 50 mg⁄ kg N-acetylcysteine, single dose, by a stomach tube daily for 10 days. Group D: consisted of 10 rats that received 150 mg/kg ciprofloxacin, divided into two equal doses, by a stomach tube daily for 10 days. Then left for three weeks after cessation of drug administrationto determine the spontaneous reversal of the effects of ciprofloxacin. At the end of the experiment, the animals were anesthetized with diethyl ether. The testes, epididymides (bodies) and vasa deferentia (proximal parts) of all experimental rats were collected. The specimens were processed for either light or electron microscopic examination. The present work revealedthat the administration of ciprofloxacin for ten days clarified many histological alterations of testicular tissues in rats. It showed irregular basement membrane of the seminiferous tubules, degeneration and desquamation of the primary spermatocytes and the spermatids. The interstitial tissue showed edema, congestion and degeneration of the Leydig cells. Electron microscopic examination clarified the degeneration of Sertoli cells as they showed a deformed nuclei, giant mitochondria and increased lysosomes. It also clarified the degeneration of both spermatocytes and spermatids as they showed degeneration of nuclear membrane and vacuolation of cytoplasm with degenerated mitochondria. Moreover, Leydig cells nuclei by electron microscopic examination showed condensed chromatin, dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum and increased lysosomes.