Severe deterioration in sperm parameters and testes of rats administered naproxen and diclofenac at pre-puberty: An experimental study

BACKGROUND: Although naproxen and diclofenac are the most commonly used nonsteroidal drugs, their toxicity affecting male reproductivity has not been sufficiently studied, particularly when used in pre-puberty. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the toxic effects of naproxen and diclofenac on sperm parameters and testes in pre-pubertal rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 15 pre-pubertal male albino rats (aged 5 wk, weighted 70-80 gr) were used. The animals were divided in to 3 groups (n = 5/each) of control (0.1 ml dimethyl sulfoxide), naproxen (50 mg/kg), and diclofenac sodium (5 mg/kg), and were orally administered with these drugs every day for 3 wk. Epididymal spermatozoa were taken to assess sperm count, viability, and morphology. After preparing tissue sections, testicular histopathological and histomorphometric analyses were performed. RESULTS: The body weights of rats in both naproxen and diclofenac groups significantly decreased (p [Formula: see text] 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively) in comparison to the control group. Remarkably, the testis weight and total sperm number significantly decreased (p = 0.002, and p = 0.004 respectively) in the naproxen-administered rats only. The sperm viability percentage decreased significantly in both diclofenac and naproxen-administered groups (p [Formula: see text] 0.001 and p = 0.03 respectively). Moreover, there was a significant increase (p [Formula: see text] 0.001) in the percentage of sperm morphological anomalies in both drug-administered groups. Also, the histological and morphometric findings exhibited severe histopathological appearances in the testes and seminiferous tubules parameters in both drug-administered groups.> CONCLUSION: Naproxen and diclofenac administrations of rats before their puberty induce considerable harm to sperm parameters and testicular histology and morphometry. These severe toxic effects can lead to potential infertility.