Effect of Vardenafil on Fertility in Male Rats

It was found that only vardenafil markedly reduced CaCl2-induced contractions in the phenylephrine-treated isolated pulmonary artery indicates that this additional mechanism could be related to blockade of Ca channels. The aim of the present study is to evaluate effects of vardinafil on fertility parameters. Thirty male rats were allocated into five groups, control (D.W.) (n=6) and test groups that received (5mg, 10, 20 mg/kg/day) of vardenafil by oral gavage, each one (n=6) and sulfasalazine (500mg/kg) for 30 days. Animal were kept in standard conditions. At day thirty of experiment the blood sample was drawn for measurement of serum testosterone and gonadotrophin hormones then the testis tissue of rats in whole groups were removed and sperms were collected from epididymis and prepared for analysis. Significant decrease in sperm count and motility in rat treated with (20 mg/kg body weight) of vardenafil for 4 weeks, in addition to significant decrease serum testosterone and gonadotrophin horomes. Further histopathological changes in rat testis and epididymis were also observed. In conclusion administration of 20mg/kg/day vardenafil was very efficacious dose that result in disturbing fertility status in male rats. The results of study have provide direct evidence that Ca channels blocker vardenafil are effective in causing a significant arrest of developing spermatids and malfunction of leydig cells.