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Adverse effect of heroin hydrochloride on selected male reproductive parameters in mice

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Abstract

This study investigated the effects of heroin on selected male reproductive parameters in mice (Balb/C), e.g. body weight, testis weight, gonado-somatic index, sperm viability, concentration of serum testosterone and fertility rate. Seventy-two mice (36 male and 36 female) were used. The male mice were divided into two control and two experimental groups. For evaluation of fertility rate, three mice were chosen from each group. Experimental groups of heroin-dependant mice were divided into two groups: Experimental group I were given heroin at a dose of 5 mg/kg and experimental group II 5 mg/ml, intra-peritoneally twice daily for a period of 40 days. Results showed that heroin reduced sperm viability, serum testosterone concentration as well as body weight, testis weight and fertility as compared with control groups. However, no significant changes in the gonado-somatic index were observed. The data suggests that heroin may reduce some of the reproductive parameters in male mice.

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Acknowledgment

Financial support from Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University of Tehran- Iran is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Tehran Medical Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shariati Street, Tehran, Iran

    Simin Fazelipour

  2. Department of Radiology, Pavlov Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russia

    Seyed Babak Kiaei

  3. Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Azadi Street, Tehran, Iran

    Zahra Tootian

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  1. Simin Fazelipour
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  2. Seyed Babak Kiaei
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  3. Zahra Tootian
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Correspondence to Zahra Tootian.

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Fazelipour, S., Kiaei, S.B. & Tootian, Z. Adverse effect of heroin hydrochloride on selected male reproductive parameters in mice. Comp Clin Pathol 19, 565–569 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-009-0925-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-009-0925-5

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