ISSN 2736-173X
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 6 (1), pp. 376-381, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the effects of antimalarials on the reproductive system of adult men
Ejebe, D. E.1*, Ojieh, A. E.2, Ovuakporaye, S.I.2, Odion-Obomhense, H. K.3, Adegor, E. C.2, Amadi C.N4, Nwadito, C.4, Emudainohwo, J. O. T.1 and Ozoko, T. C.5
1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
2Department of Physiology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
3Department of Anatomy, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
4Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Management , University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria.
5Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Delta State University, Abraka Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel:+2348059034991.
Accepted 16 July, 2017
Abstract
The effects of treatment with the anti-malarial alkaloids quinine and chloroquine on sperm properties and blood levels of selected reproductive hormones (testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormones) of adult men were determined. Informed consents were obtained from twenty healthy adult volunteers who were subsequently allotted to groups A and B with 5 subjects each .While group C had 10 subjects. Group A received 600 mg of quinine 8 hourly for 5 days; group B subjects had 4 tablets of chloroquine (250 mg each) daily for 2 days then 2 tablets for one day. Group C subjects had neither of these drugs in the study period of 65 days. Venous blood and masturbation specimens of semen were obtained from the subjects before treatment, immediately post-treatment and by the 65th day from commencement of treatment. Blood levels of follicle stimulating hormones, leutinizing hormone and testosterone were determined by Enzyme Linked Imuno Assay. Seminal Fluid Analysis was carried out on the semen specimens to determine sperm count, percentage forward motility and percentage abnormal sperm morphology. The means of all the variables assessed were within the limits of normal for their respective method of analysis. No statistical significant effect of these drugs on sperm count, percentage sperm forward motility and blood levels of testosterone were observed when pre-treatment results were compared with post-treatment and 65th day results as well as when results of quinine and chloroquine treated groups were compared with those of control group. The suggestion by disparate IN VIVO animal and IN VITRO studies that the short term use of these drugs to treat malaria may be associated with fertility changes as a result of their inherent anti-spermatogenic effects have not been collaborated by this study in adult men.
Key words: Anti-malarial alkaloids, quinine, chloroquine, sperm properties, reproductive hormones, adult men.