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Effects of anti-malarial
alkaloids on the sperm properties and blood levels of
reproductive hormones of adult men
Ejebe, D. E.1*,
Ojieh, A. E.2, Ovuakporaye, S.I.2,
Odion-Obomhense, H. K.3, Adegor, E. C.2,
Amadi C.N4, Nwadito, C.4, Emudainohwo,
J. O. T.1 and Ozoko, T. C.5
1Department
of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Delta State University,
Abraka, Nigeria.
2Department
of Physiology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
3Department
of Anatomy, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
4Department
of Clinical Pharmacy and Management , University of
Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.
5Department
of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Delta State
University, Abraka Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
ejebe4ever@yahoo.com.
Tel: +2348059034991.
Accepted
14 August, 2008 |
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The effects of treatment with the anti-malarial alkaloids
quinine and chloroquine on sperm properties and blood levels
of selected reproductive hormones (testosterone, follicle
stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormones) of adult men
were determined. Informed consents were obtained from twenty
healthy adult volunteers who were subsequently allotted to
groups A and B with 5 subjects each .While group C had 10
subjects. Group A received 600 mg of quinine 8 hourly for 5
days; group B subjects had 4 tablets of chloroquine (250 mg
each) daily for 2 days then 2 tablets for one day. Group C
subjects had neither of these drugs in the study period of
65 days. Venous blood and masturbation specimens of semen
were obtained from the subjects before treatment,
immediately post-treatment and by the 65th day
from commencement of treatment. Blood levels of follicle
stimulating hormones, leutinizing hormone and testosterone
were determined by Enzyme Linked Imuno Assay. Seminal Fluid
Analysis was carried out on the semen specimens to determine
sperm count, percentage forward motility and percentage
abnormal sperm morphology. The means of all the variables
assessed were within the limits of normal for their
respective method of analysis. No statistical significant
effect of these drugs on sperm count, percentage sperm
forward motility and blood levels of testosterone were
observed when pre-treatment results were compared with
post-treatment and 65th day results as well as
when results of quinine and chloroquine treated groups were
compared with those of control group. The suggestion by
disparate in vivo animal and in vitro studies
that the short term use of these drugs to treat malaria may
be associated with fertility changes as a result of their
inherent anti-spermatogenic effects have not been
collaborated by this study in adult men.
Key
words:
Anti-malarial alkaloids, quinine, chloroquine, sperm
properties, reproductive hormones, adult men. |
