Reduced Spermatogenesis in Rats Exposed Transplacentally to Hydroxyprogesterone

Abstract

Prenatal exposure to hydroxyprogesterone can alter the spermatogenesis in adult rat. For the purpose of assessing the effects of prenatal exposure to hydroxyprogesterone on postnatal reproductive performance, rats were treated intraperitoneally with doses of hydroxyprogesterone (10, 25 mg/kg body weight) on 1^st, 7^th and 14^th day of gestation. The reproductive performance of the male offspring was assessed after 90 d by determining the changes in testis weight and the number of spermatids. A significant (p<0.001) decrease in testicular weight and number of spermatids was observed in the experimental male rats. Testis of the experimental rats also exhibited symptoms of arrest of spermatogenesis. It is suggested that in utero exposure to supra-normal levels of hydroxyprogesterone affects male reproduction by altering the spermatogenesis.