Fluoxetine and sertraline effects on rat distal cauda epididymis contraction, sperm count and sperm transit time trough epididymis

Effects of dipyrone and acetylsalicylic acid on contractions of distal cauda epididymis duct, serum testosterone and sperm count in rats

“…Previous studies demonstrated that both drugs could reduce testosterone levels in rodents or isolated cells 28,55 as this anti‐androgenic effect was reported for other COX‐inhibitors, such as paracetamol, 56 indomethacin, 57 or ibuprofen 58 . The reduction of testosterone levels by dipyrone or ASA could also induce an impairment of spermatogenesis, with a decrease in daily sperm production; this is also reported for other agents with similar ability to interfere with androgen synthesis, such as fluoxetine, 33 dexamethasone, 59 bisphenol‐A, 60 amongst others 11,61 …”

“…The diminished daily sperm production caused by low testosterone levels in treated animals could be an obvious mechanism behind alterations in sperm count through the epididymis. Yet, it has been shown that alterations in epididymal duct contractility affected by different drugs are an important mechanism associated with alterations in sperm count and quality: this occurs by accelerating or retarding the transit time of sperm cells through this organ 33,35,63,64 . We hypothesise that prostaglandin synthesis disruption in the epididymis, a function of in vivo treatment with COX‐inhibitors dipyrone and ASA, could affect epididymal smooth muscle contractions, with alterations in sperm transit time, and contribute to the low sperm cell count in this organ.…”

“…The rats were euthanised by decapitation and then the whole epididymis were exposed, cleaned from connective tissues, and ~1.5 cm of distal cauda epididymis duct (site 7 according to Hinton et al) 32 were isolated and mounted under 1 g of resting tension 22,33,34 in a 10‐ml organ bath containing nutrient solution with composition (mM): 138.0 NaCl; 5.7 KCl; 1.8 CaCl 2 ·2H 2 O; 15.0 NaHCO 3 ; 0.36 NaH 2 PO 4 ·H 2 O and 5.5 glucose, prepared in glass distilled deionised water, bubbled with normal air and kept at 32°C, pH 7.4 33,35 . Alterations in isometric tension of distal cauda epididymis duct isolated from rats were detected by a force displacement transducer (Ugo Basile, Italy) coupled to a Gemini two‐channel physiographic recorder (Ugo Basile, Italy).…”

“…Next, sperm cells were counted as described above for the testis. Sperm transit time through the caput/corpus and cauda epididymis was obtained by dividing the number of sperm cells found in each of these regions by DSP 33,42 …”

Histological evaluation of the effects of rapamycin and 3-methyladenine on cisplatin-induced epididymal injury in rats

“…The epididymis is the organ where functional competence such as the ability to move, capacitate and interact with the zona pellucida is acquired, maturation and storage of spermatozoa passing from the testis to the excretory ducts 1 . Changes in the epididymis may affect normal sperm physiology and thus inhibit sperm maturation 2 . Nowadays, it is known that the male genital system is highly sensitive to various toxic agents, drugs, stress, and diseases.…”