Comparative study of artesunate, ACTs and their combinants on the spermatic parameters of the male guinea pig

Niger J Physiol Sci. 2009 Jun;24(1):1-6.

Abstract

In this study, the comparative effects of half, normal and double clinical doses of artesunate; artesunate/sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine; artesunate/amodiaquine and their combinants [sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine and amodiaquine] on the semen parameters namely total sperm count, motility, morphology, debris and premature/primordial cell count of the male guinea-pig were investigated. The agents caused significant [P<0.05] decreases in total sperm count and sperm motility, with increases in abnormal sperm cells [morphology], debris and premature sperm cells. The effects were maximal at the subclinical doses and synergistic in the ACTs, compared to those of the individual partner agents. Artesunate, amodiaquine and artesunate/amodiaquine caused 54, 28 and 84% decreases in total sperm count, with 13, 31 and 64% decreases in sperm motility respectively. Conversely, the above drugs increased baseline morphology by 70, 30 and 264% respectively. Similar synergistic responses were obtained with artesunate/sufadoxine/pyrimethamine. These results may be explained in terms of the oxidative effects of these agents, through generation of free radicals, resulting in pathological damage to testicular structure/function.

MeSH terms

  • Amodiaquine / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / pharmacology*
  • Artemisinins / pharmacology*
  • Artesunate
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Synergism
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Male
  • Pyrimethamine / pharmacology*
  • Sperm Count
  • Sperm Motility / drug effects
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects*
  • Spermatozoa / pathology
  • Sulfadoxine / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Artemisinins
  • Drug Combinations
  • amodiaquine, artesunate drug combination
  • Amodiaquine
  • fanasil, pyrimethamine drug combination
  • Artesunate
  • Sulfadoxine
  • Pyrimethamine