Attenuation of Methotrexate-Induced Embryotoxicity and Oxidative Stress by Ethyl Pyruvate

Objective Methotrexate (MTX), as an anti-folate agent, is widely used in the treatment of rheumatic disorders and malignant tumors, however it damages reproductive system in mice. The aim of this research was to study the effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) on embryo development and oxidative stress changes in the testis of mice treated with MTX. MaterialsAndMethods In this experimental study, thirty-two adult male Naval Medical Research Institute mice, with average weight of 26 ± 2 g, were divided into four groups. The first group (control) received distilled water (0.1 ml/mice/day), while the second group was intraperitoneally (IP) treated with 20 mg/kg MTX once per week. The third group was IP treated with 40 mg/kg/day EP, and the fourth group was IP treated with both 20 mg/kg MTX and 40 mg/kg/day EP for 30 days. At the end of treatment fertilization rate and embryonic development were evaluated. Differences between these groups were assessed by ANOVA using the SPSS software package for Windows with a Tukey-Kramer multiple post-hoc comparison test. Results MTX treatment caused significant (P