Effect of an anti-thyroid drug, 2,8-Dimercapto-6-hydroxy purine on reproduction in male rats.

This histomorphological study is designed to evaluate the peripheral action of 2,8-Dimercapto-6-hydroxypurine (an antithyroid drug) on male reproductive system. The drug was administered as i.p. injection for 21 days to investigate its role on morphology of intratesticular cells and plasma testosterone level. Adult male rats (n=12), divided into three groups i.e. control, dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and 2,8-Dimercapto-6-hydroxypurine treated groups and treated with saline, DMSO and 2,8-Dimercapto-6-hydroxypurine for 21 consecutive days respectively. Blood samples were collected at day 1, 7, 14 and 21 and analyzed by using EIA systems. All the animals were scarified on 22nd day and testicular tissues were studied by histomorphpological assesment. 2,8-Dimercapto-6-hydroxypurine caused a significant decrease (P<0.0001) in mean testicular cell population, testicular cell diameter and resulted in arrested spermatogenesis. A significant decrease (P<0.0001) was observed in mean Sertoli and Leydig cell population and diameter in treated group. Similarly a significant decrease was observed in plasma testosterone levels at days 1, 7 and 14 (P<0.05) and further decrease by day 21 (P<0.01) of drug treatment. The present study suggests that 2,8-Dimercapto-6-hydroxypurine is a negative modulator of reproductive system as it suppressed the plasma testosterone level and proliferation of different testicular cell types in adult male rats.