Morphometry of Sperm Head in Rats Treated with an Antifungal Medication

Abstract

The parameters of sperm head in Wistar male rats orally treated with antifungal agent for 48 days during spermatogenesis were studied by the method of image analysis. The degree of roundness (roughness) of sperm head was calculated. Significant differences in morphometric parameters of sperm head, such as length, width, head angle, and roundness were revealed between the treatment and control group. The index of deformation of sperm head in the treatment group rats was 4.93 arb. units. These data indicated microcephaly accompanied by the enlargement of the head, transition of an acute angle to a right angle, and acquiring of a round form. Potential gonadotoxicity was confirmed by the analysis of the functional activity of spermatozoids of male rats (increased count of spermatozoa with head pathology), fertilization ability (enhanced fertility index), and genotoxicity (increased number of chromosomal aberrations polychromatophilic erythrocytes of murine bone marrow). These changes can be responsible for reduced fertility.