Histological and Histometrical Study of Prostate Following Administration of Sertraline in Adult Mice

Background: Sertraline, along with its beneficial antidepressant effects, may have adverse effects on the fertility and reproductive system. In recent years, the negative effects of sertraline on body tissues have been shown to some extent. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sertraline at different doses on the histological and histometrical structure of ventral and anterior lobes of prostate in adult mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, twenty adult male mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (no treatment) and three groups receiving sertraline at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg by gavage for 42 days. First, the mice were sacrificed, then, blood samples and prostate lobes tissue were collected for histomorphological and histochemical studies. Results: Results showed a significant decrease in cell count of secretory units in ventral and anterior lobes in the sertraline groups, compared to that in control group (p<0.05). Epithelial thickness showed a significant decrease in ventral and anterior lobes of prostate following the administration of sertraline (20 mg/kg), compared to the control group (p<0.05). A significant dose-dependent decrease was seen in serum testosterone in sertraline groups, compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Sertraline has a negative effect on the histopathological and histometrical structure of prostate. However, further clinical studies are required to assess the negative effects of sertraline in human beings.