Reversible Effects of Ribavirin on the TesticularWeight of Albino Rats

Introduction: Ribavirin because of its genotoxic quality causes adverse effects on the gonads in a temporary way that has been studied on the testicular tissues of various experimental animals. Objectives: To study the changes in mean testes weight of albino rats after treatment with Ribavirin in different doses at different time points. Methods: The research lab and the animal house of the Anatomy Department of Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore was the place of this experimental study where 72 adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups: A, B, C and D; with 18 rats each. Intraperitoneal injections of distilled water were given to control groupAand Ribavirin in the doses of 20mg, 100mg and 200mg/kg body weight, as a single dose for 5 days was administered to experimental groupsB,Cand D. Every group wasfurthersplit up into 3 subgroups according to the sacrificial days 20th, 40th and 60th since after administration of the last dose of the drug. On each sacrificial day, 6 rats were randomly selected from a group and sacrificed. Their testes were dissected out and weighed after the removal of the epididymis. The mean testes weight was also calculated. Results: In comparison with the control groups on the 20th and 40th sacrificial days all experimental groups showed a decrease in the values of mean testes weight (MTW) which was more in medium and high-dose treated groups due to the toxic effects of Ribavirin on rat's testes. On the 60th sacrificial day, only low-dose treated groups showed the values of MTW very close to that of controls due to the reversibility of changes induced by Ribavirin on rat's testes. On the same time point medium and high dose treated groups still had reduced values of MTWin comparison with controls due to the late recovery. Conclusion: Apatient on Ribavirin therapy must be informed by a physician regarding its toxic effects on his reproductive health and the reversibility of its gonadotoxicity after discontinuation of this drug.