Effects of acitretin on spermatogenesis of rats

Abstract

In this experimental study the possible effects of the acitretin on the spermatogenesis of the rats were investigated histopathologically. Thirty-nine male adult Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups as two experimental groups and one control group. The first group consisting 14 rats were applied orally standard dose (0.75 mg/kg/day) acitretin and the second group consisting 16 rats were applied high dose (1.5 mg/kg/day) acitretin. Acitretin was given within dimetil sulphoxide (DMSO), which was diluted with saline solution as a ratio of 1/10, in order to increase its solubility. The control group consisting 9 rats were given only saline solution including DMSO for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks of the administration, half of the rats in the first and second groups and the entire control group were sacrificed under deep ether anaesthesia and bilateral orchiectomy was made. The remaining rats were compared with the control group using a similar method at the end of 8 weeks of wash-off period. The orchiectomy materials were histopathologically evaluated under the light microscope for spermatogenesis according to parameters including spermatogenetic activity, spermatogenetic organization, seminiferous tubular diameter, interstitial Leydig cells and fibroblasts. The groups, which were evaluated at the end of the 8(th) and 16(th) weeks, were compared with the control group regarding the mentioned parameters and no statistical significance was observed among the groups. In our study it was concluded that the standard and high doses of acitretin do not have any effect on the spermatogenesis of the rats.

Long‐term safety and efficacy of continuous acitretin monotherapy for three children with different severe hyperkeratotic disorders in China

“…The guidelines in many countries recommended not using acitretin in women who are pregnant or who are considering becoming pregnant during therapy or for at least 2–3 years after discontinuation . Nevertheless, the standard (0.75 mg/kg per day) and high (1.5 mg/kg per day) doses of acitretin have not been shown to be associated with abnormalities in spermatogenesis of rats, similar to that reported in psoriatic patients…”

Dermatological medication effects on male fertility

“…A study of male lizards treated with all‐trans‐retinoic acid showed that retinoic acid severely depleted seminiferous epithelium and, therefore, had a significant effect on spermatogenesis . In contrast, a study showed that standard and high doses of acitretin did not affect spermatogenesis of rats . Furthermore, one review reported that in preclinical data, including genotoxicity assays and a male rat reproduction toxicology study, acitretin did not affect reproductive outcome in females mated with males given acitretin .…”

“…Lizard study showed depleted seminiferous epithelium with all-trans-retinoic acid (47). Rat study showed no direct sperm effect (48).…”

Effect of Acitretin on Penile Erection in Psoriatic Male Patients

“…In accordance to results of this study, in a study conducted on rats, the authors suggested that neonatal retinoid exposure may have affected sexual parameters due to the binding of nuclear steroid receptors [31] . In contrast, Sengör and his colleagues [32] had found no effect of different doses of acitretin on spermatogenesis; but this study was done on rats.…”