Effect of tamoxifen on histological structure of testis in adult male Wistar rats

Tamoxifen is a non-steroidal anti-estrogen which is prescribed for treatment of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of tamoxifen on of testes in adult male Wistar rats. This study was an experimental survey. Three groups of adult male Wistar rats received 200, 400 and 600 µg/kg bw tamoxifen dissolved in a solvent (consisted of ethanol (60%) and physiologic solution) for 30 consecutive days. The sham group received the solvent and controls did not receive any drug or solvent. At the end of this period, the animals were sacrificed and their testes were removed and fixed in Bouin’s fluid. Sections of 5µm thickness from testes stained with Haematoxylin & Eosin method. Results showed that thickness of tunica alboginea in experimental groups significantly increased compared with control group. Diameter and thickness of seminiferous tubules and number of spermatogonium A, spermatogonium B, primary spermatocyte, spermatid, spermatozoon, leydig and sertoli cells were decreased in experimental groups (p<0.05). The most profound effect was observed in the group which received 600 µg /kg bw of tamoxifen. According to these findings, we concluded that tamoxifen in a dose dependent manner, via negative effects on testis, decreases the fertilization ability in adult male Wistar rats.