Background: Male fertility depends on the proper function of a complex system of organs which plays an important role in spermatogenesis. In this study the effects of sulpiride-administration were assessed by means of sperm parameters and in vitro fertilization potential.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study thirty adult male mice were divided into 3 groups as test, control-sham and control. The test group were injected with 40 mg/kg sulpiride solution daily for 45 days IP. Sham mice were injected by solvent only. After 45 days, all mice were dispatched by cervical dislocation consequence of unconsciousness. Cauda epididymis were used to collect sperm cells and assess their motility, viability and DNA integrity. The rate of in vitro fertilization and embryonic development were also examined.
Results: In comparison with sham and control groups, sperm motility and viability rate showed a significant reduction in the sulpiride-administered animals. Rate of DNA damage increased which gives rise to a remarkable reduction of fertilization rate, zygote division, blastocysts number, and significant increase of arrested embryos in sulpiride treated mice (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Data suggest that following sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia, induction of spermatogenesis dysfunction, causes low sperm quality that accompanies a significant lower fertility potential and embryonic development in comparison with the sham and control groups.