Preventive role of magnesium sulphate on dexamethasone induced testicular injury in albino rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protection provided by magnesium sulphate on corticosteroid-induced testicular injury in albino rats. METHODS: This experimental study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August 1 to 20, 2012, and comprised albino rats. About 90-120 days old and weighing 200-230 gm. They were divided into 3 groups. Group A comprised controls, Group B animals were administered dexamethasone 4mg/kg body weight per day intra-peritoneally, and Group C animals were given magnesium sulphate 20mg/kg body weight per day intramuscularly, with dexamethasone at same dose as in Group B. Rats were sacrifised at the end of study period after recording their final weight. A midline abdominal incision was made and extended downward to the scrotum. Both testes were removed. Sections from both testes were prepared and stained with periodic acid-Schiff -Iron Haematoxylin. RESULTS: Of the 30 rats, each group had 10(33.33%). The mean final body weight was 251.80±1.35gm in Group A, 204.60±1.88gm in Group B and 236.00±2.52gm in Group C. The mean diameter of seminiferous tubules was 268.40±7.30mm in Group A, 177.00±10.90mm in Group B and 238.40±2.42mm in Group C. The mean thickness of germinal epithelium was 85.26±1.93mm, 32.40±3.26mm and 60.40±3.18mm in the three groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of dexamethasone caused testicular injury, which ameliorated significantly by the concomitant use of magnesium sulphate.