Histological and ultrastructural studies on the effect of haloperidol drug on testes of albino rats and the protective role of chitosan nanoparticles

Abstract

Haloperidol (HP) is a widely used as neuroleptic drug for the treatment of acute and chronic psychosis. Treatment for long period with antischizophrenic drugs accompanied by sexual dysfunction and infertility, from this point of view the present work aimed to investigate the effects of (HP) on testis of albino rats. At the same time, the present investigation illustrates the possible protective role of nanoparticles to minimizing the side effects of (HP) on the rat testis. Thirty-two adult male rats were used and allocated into four groups. Each rat of the first group was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with 1 mg/kg saline solution and served as control group. Each rat of the second group was received a single (i.p.) injection of (2 mg/kg b.wt.) nanoparticles. Each animal of the third group was given 0.3 mg/ml/kg (HP) while each rat of the fourth group was received 0.3 mg/ml/kg (HP) carried on nanoparticles. The treatment of all groups was carried out daily for 21 days. The results showed that HP group showed significant decrease in tubular diameter and a the seminiferous epithelial thickness in comparison with those of control rats. Histological examination of the testis sections of (HP) treated rats revealed disorganization, hypoplasia and variable degrees of degeneration of the germinal epithelium. Spermatogenesis showed maturation arrest at various stages and most of tubules were seen devoid of spermatozoa. The most prominent changes reported in the inter-tubular tissue were represented by congestion of blood vessels as well as hemorrhage in the interstitial tissue. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm of the affected spermatogenic cells exhibited a large number of degenerated mitochondria and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Sertoli cells appeared with irregularly-shaped nucleus with a deep indented nuclear envelope. On the other hand, the morphometeric, histological and ultrastructure appeared in testes of most rats treated with (HP) carried on nanoparticles manifested marked improvements against the damage displayed by (HP).