P-32: Histomorphological Study of Testicular Seminiferous Tubules Following Time Dependent Administration of Methylphenidate in Adult Rats

Background: Methylphenidate (MPH), Ritalin, is one of the most common medications. The administration of Ritalin leads to increase of the activity of central nervous system. Ritalin may be used for maintaining alertness and improving of attention which may lead to increase of the risk of substance abuse in some cases. There is a little data about the effects of long term treatment with Methylphenidate on body organs involved in fertility ability. Regarding to the effect of normal fertility on the physical and mental health of males, this study was designed to investigate the time dependent effects of MPH on the activity of male reproductive system. Materials and Methods: Ritalin was administrated to adult rats (10 mg/kg/day) in three experimental groups for periods of two weeks, 11 weeks and 11 weeks with one week interval between each two weeks. At the end of investigation, Histological studies were performed for evaluation of testicular reproductive function. Results: Histological assessment of testicular tissue showed some alteration in morphology of spermatogenic cells of seminiferous tubules. These changes were disruption of spermatogenesis, decrease of the diameter of seminiferous tubules, depletion in the height of germinal epithelium, giant cell formation and the alteration of the shape of testicular tubules. Most of these changes were observed in long term treated group in comparison to other groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that, the long term use of methylphenidate can adversely damage the male fertility due to impairment of normal spermatogenesis.