Study on effect of Sorafenib: With Special Reference to Alterations in Histopathological Parameters in Male Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Background: Drug induced infertility which may be permanent or temporary, is regarded to be a major clinical problem. Sorafenib is a new drug that is being used for advanced renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sorafenib on the histopathology of testes in male mice. Materials and Methods: Thirty animals (9-12 weeks old) were divided into control, positive control and treatment groups. Treatment groups received 25, 50 and 100mg/kg body weight of sorafenib orally for seven consecutive days at intervals of 24 hours between two administrations. Results: Microscopic anatomy of the testes showed sloughing of the germ cells, reduction in the number of sperm cells and variation in the size and shape of the seminiferous tubules. There was no significant change in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules in most of the treated groups except the 5th-week group when compared with control groups. The epithelial height was reduced significantly (P<0.05) in the 4th, 5th and 7th weeks in treated groups compared to that of control groups. Conclusion: The result conforms to the toxic effect of sorafenib in testes of male mice, but this effect is reversible once the drug is withdrawn.