P-161: Deleterious Side Effects of Methotrexate on In Vitro Fertilization and Protective Role of Cornus Mas Extract in Adult Mice

Background: Because of stress oxidative side effect of MTX on reproductive system, current study was aimed to evaluate protective effects of cornus mas fruit extract (CMFE) in mice treated with methotrexate (MTX). Materials and Methods: 48 young mature male mice were classified in 4 groups. Control group received only normal saline orally (0.2 ml/day), and the second group was administered MTX (20 mg/kg/week, IP). The third group received CFME orally (1000 mg/kg/day)along with MTX. The fourth group was only given CFME with a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day orally. The study period for all groups was 35 days. Then, the animals were anesthetically euthanized and the sperms were separated from epididymis. DNA damage level, the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as in vitro fertility was evaluated. Results: In groups receiving CFME, DNA damage level, and MDA amount suggested a decrease in comparison to MTX group (p<0.05). Also, in vitro fertility and embryonic development in MTXtreated group was significantly lower than control group, and the level of embryonic arresting was higher (p<0.05). In groups which received CFME, in vitro fertility, and embryonic development was higher than MTX group (p<0.05) and the embryonic arresting showed a decrease. Conclusion: This study suggested that cornus mas is able to ameliorate the side effects of MTX.