The Effects of Vancomycin on Sperm Motility and Testicular Inflammation in Rats

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of vancomycin on sperm motility and testicular inflam- mation in male rats. In the study, 12 adult Sprague Dawley rats were used. They were divided into 2 equal groups. First group (n = 6) was called as control group. Control group received physi- ological saline via intraperitoneal injection. Second group was called as vancomycin group and vancomycin group received vancomycin at the dose of 200 mg/kg via intraperitoneal injection for consecutive 7 days. At the end of study, the rats were sacrificed under sevoflurane anesthe- sia. Testes and cauda epididymis were collected. Mean testes weight, mean cauda epididymis weight, and sperm motility were evaluated. Also, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nuclear fac- tor kappa B levels were evaluated in testis tissues. According to our results, vancomycin treat- ment significantly decreased sperm motility while did not change mean testis weight and mean cauda epididymis weight when compared to control group. Besides, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nuclear factor kappa B levels were significantly higher in vancomycin group than in the con- trol group. In conclusion, vancomycin treatment (200 mg/kg BW, consecutive 7 days) decreases sperm motility significantly and increases the levels of testicular inflammation biomarkers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nuclear factor kappa B). Further studies are needed for protection from the side effects of vancomycin in male reproductive system.