Protective Effect of Pentoxifylline on Sperm and Biochemical Parameters against Dexamethasone-Induced Toxicity in Mice

Nowadays, the side effects of chemical drugs such as dexamethasone, as a steroidal anti-inflammatory factor, is considered on reducing male reproductive potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline on sperm parameters and biochemical factors in mice treated with dexamethasone.

In this study, 24 adult male NMRI mice (35±2gr) were randomly divided into four groups (n=6 per group): control, dexamethasone (7mg/kg/day), pentoxifylline (200mg/kg/day), and dexamethasone + pentoxifylline. After 7 days of intraperitoneal treatments, sperm parameters and oxidative stress factors were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test.

Compared to the control group, sperm count, progressive motility percentage, viability, sperm tail length (STL), daily sperm production (DSP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) significantly decreased in dexamethasone group (P<0.001), while plasma MDA level showed significant increase (P<0.001). These parameters did not show significant differences between the control group and the group that received dexamethasone + pentoxifylline (P> 0.05). Assessment of DNA integrity showed that dexamethasone had no effect on denaturation of the sperm DNA double-stranded structure.

According to this study, pentoxifylline could prevent the adverse effects of dexamethasone on sperm parameters, biochemical factors, and daily sperm production by reducing oxidative stress.