The Effects of Long-term and Simultaneous Administration of Methylphenidate and Nicotine before and During Pregnancy on the Microscopic Structure of Testicular Tissue in Male Offspring of Mice

Background and Aim: Methylphenidate (MPH) is one of the commonly used drugs in the treatment of hyperactivity disorder in children. The use of MPH has been associated with increased activity of the central nervous system so may lead to the abuse of this compound. Nicotine is one of the compounds available in a wide range of people in various forms. The negative effects of nicotine on pituitary-testicular axis and spermatogenesis have been reported. In this study, the effects of long-term and simultaneous administration of methylphenidate and nicotine before and during pregnancy in mice on the microscopic structure of testicular tissue in newborn babies were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Adult mice received nicotine and methylphenidate for eight weeks before and during pregnancy. Embryologic indices and microscopic structure of testicular tissue were evaluated in newborn babies. Results: The results showed that embryologic and histologic indices in newborns from treated mice decreased in comparison to control group. A decrease of cellular population of seminiferous tubules and development of some structural changes in seminiferous tubules has been observed in treated groups. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the simultaneous administration of nicotine and methylphenidate before and during pregnancy could induce some structural alterations in testicular tissue in embryonic development and postnatal period.