An Evaluation of the Protective Effects of Coenzyme Q10 on Fertility Parameters of Male Mice Treated with Methotrexate

Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapy drug that has destructive effects on body tissues, including the male reproductive system. Since coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that can reduce its destructive effects to some extent, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of the simultaneous use of methotrexate and coenzyme Q10 on testis tissue structure and sperm parameters in male mice.

In this experimental study, 24 male NMRI mice were divided into four groups of six: the control group received 0.2 ml of distilled water intraperitoneally, the MTX group received 20 mg/kg methotrexate once a week intraperitoneally, the CoEnQ10 group received coenzyme Q10 orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg three times a week, and the MTX+CoEnQ10 group, in addition to receiving methotrexate 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally once a week, also received coenzyme Q10 orally at a dose of 200 mg/kg three times a week. All groups were treated for five weeks. After sacrificing the animals, epididymal cauda and testis tissue were sampled and analyzed respectively in order to check sperm parameters and histomorphometry changes and the process of spermatogenesis.

After treatment with MTX, viability, motility, tubule differentiation index, spermatic index, sperm repopulation index, mean seminiferous tubules diameter, seminiferous tubules lumen diameter, and germinal epithelium height decreased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the treatment with MTX significantly led to DNA damage, an increase in the mean diameter of the testicular capsule and the percentage of tubular degeneration, and an increase in the number of abnormal sperms compared to the control group (p<0.05). Simultaneous use of coenzyme Q10 with MTX resulted in significant improvement of the mentioned parameters.

The results of the present study showed that MTX has a negative effect on the metabolic activity of sperm, integrity of membrane and DNA, causing a decrease in sperm parameters and changes in testicular tissue and the process of spermatogenesis. Significant improvement of coenzyme Q10 and MTX co-administration enhances the protective effect of coenzyme Q10.