Does isotretinoin affect spermatogenesis? a rat study

Aim Inthe literature, studies investigating the effects of isotretinoin on spermatogenesis are controversial and there is no consensus. In this study, the aim was to investigate whether isotretinoin has any effects on spermatogenesis and, if present, whether these effects are dose linked or not. Materials and methods Twenty-two rats were divided into four groups. The first group (n=5) was administered 7.5 mg/kg/day and the second group (n=5) was administered 30 mg/kg/day isotretinoin dissolved in sunflower oil orally for 4 weeks. Group 3, the sham group (n=6), was administered only sunflower oil. Group 4 was the control group and was administered standard feed and water. At the end of the fourth week, all rats were killed and histologic investigation was performed. Sperm motility, sperm count, sperm vitality, seminiferous tubule diameters, germinal epithelium thickness, and apoptotic indices were assessed. Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels were measured in serum. Results There was a significant degree of reduction in sperm motility, sperm viability, seminiferous tubule diameters, and germinal epithelium thickness in the first and second groups compared with the control group. Sperm count was found to be significantly reduced in the second group compared with the other groups. Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone values were not observed to change in all groups. Conclusion This study concluded that both high-dose and low-dose isotretinoin disrupted spermatogenesis; however, it did not affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis.