Urtica dioica attenuate effect of Doxorobicin-Induced changes on sperm parameters in the mice

Doxorubicin (DXR) is used as an antitumor agent for the treatment of human neoplasm. The use of DXR has adverse effect on reproductive system including testicular toxicity and alteration in semen quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Urtica dioica against Doxorobicin-Induced changes on sperm parameters. 24 male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. Control group received normal saline solution throughout the course of the study. Urtica dioica (UD) control group, received UD (100 mg/kg body weight) thrice in a week and DOX (3 mg/kg body weight) once in a week injected intraperitoneally in Doxorubicin (DXR) control group and Urtica dioica-Doxorubicin (UD-DXR) group, received Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg body weight) three times in a week and DOX (3 mg/kg body weight) once in a week through the route for a period of 2 weeks. At the end of experimental period, all animal were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, their epididymes were removed and sperm analysis were done. In mice with DXR administration, epididymal sperm motility, progressive motility, sperm count and viability significantly decrease while sperm cells with abnormal morphology significantly increase when compared with control groups. Co-treatment with UD attenuate toxicity effect of DXR and improve sperm parameters. Results of our study showed that UD diminished DXR-induced testicular toxicity and improve semen parameters, thus suggesting its co-administration as a protective agent during doxorubicin treatment. Further studies should be aimed to determine protective effect of UD against chemotherapeutic agents such as DXR.