The analysis of morphological effects of amiodarone on rat testis

Amiodarone is a potent antiarrhythmic drug widely used for the management of various tachyarrhythmias including refractory to other antiarrhythmic agents. Frequent occurrence of side effects is the most important factors limiting the drug treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological effects of amiodarone on rat testis.In the present study, twenty-one male pubertal Spraque Dawney rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into three groups with seven animals in each group. While the control group received tap water, low-dose group 20 mg/kg/d and high-dose group received 200 mg/kg/d amiodarone orally in twice daily. Rats sacrificed after 14 days and the testes were removed. Testicular tissues was examined with immunohistochemical and histopathological stains. TUNEL assay and indirect immunohistochemical staining were performed with primary antibodies for determining apoptosis.In histopathological examination of testicular tissue inflamatory cells in seminiferius tubul lumens, swelling and vacuolization in the cytoplasm of some spermatogonium was determined for increasing concentrations of amiodarone. Immunohistochemical staining showed apopitotic findings that expression of caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, p53 and increased DNA fragmentation was detected via TUNEL assay in a dose dependent fashion.In this study, amiodarone dependent histopathological changes and apoptotic effects was observed in rat testis tissue. The investigation of hormonal tests, semen analysis and sperm quality markers with effects of the drug on testicular tissue and male fertility in patients taking amiodarone will contribute to the research topic.