Histological Alterations in the Rabbit Epididymis Induced by Sildenafil Overdosing

Abstract

Background: Sildenafil is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and is helping millions of men around the world to achieve and maintain a long lasting erection. The histological alterations in the genital system epithelial lining due to sildenafil overdoses intoxication has not yet been well documented. Aim: The present study was carried out to investigate the histological alterations induced by sildenafil overdoses in the epididymal epithelial lining. Methodology: Fifty adult male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were subjected to sildenafil (0, 1, 3, 6, 9 mg/kg/day) for 5 days per week for 7 weeks. Samples from left and right proximal epididymis were applied to conventional histological techniques and subjected to histological examination. Results: Exposure to overdoses of sildenafil had provoked histological alterations in the epididymal tissue in the form of epididymal hyperplasia and dilated lumina. Mature spermatozoa were less frequent in the lumen of the epididymis than the control ones while spermatogenic cells, cellular debris and spermatid giant cell were seen in the lumen of the epididymis. Conclusion: The results of the present study confirms that sildenafil provoked alterations in the epididymal epithelial lining together with partial arresting spermatogenesis and impairing the spermatic cells differentiation towards maturation. The findings together might indicate an affect on male fertility induced by sildenafil overdoses.