Alteration of catecholamine concentrations in rat testis after methamphetamine exposure.

Methamphetamine (METH) is an illicit drug that can lead to changes in catecholamines in the brain. It also has substantial effects on reproductive function. We investigated whether rat models of METH abuse could induce changes in the dopamine metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), norepinephrine (NE) and its metabolite, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), in testis. Four groups of rats received vehicle, acute dose (AB), escalating dose (ED) or ED with an acute high dose (ED-binge) METH. DOPAC, NE and DHPG were determined using HPLC. DOPAC was significantly increased in the AB while NE was significantly decreased in the ED-binge. DHPG was also significantly decreased in the ED and ED-binge. METH induces alterations of DOPAC, NE and DHPG testicular concentrations that may result in male reproductive dysfunction.