Medycyna Wet. 63 (4), 439-443, 2007
Brodzki P., Wrona Z., Krakowski L., Brodzki A., Łopuszyński W.
Influence of administration of cyclophosphamide on the quality of male dogs semen
The aim of the research was to determine the influence of cyclophosphamide administered in cancer treatment to dogs on the chosen parameters of the semen quality. The research was carried out on 12 male dogs of mixed breed, from 5- to 10-years-of-age, with body weight between 15 and 36 kg. The animals were in good physical condition and with proper sex drive, which was an indispensable condition for the experiment. The animals were divided into two groups. The experimental group consisted of 6 dogs, which after having the tumor removed surgically, were administered cyclophosphamide by mouth in the form of tablets, in doses of 50 mg/m2 per body surface for 21 days. The control group consisted of 6 clinically healthy dogs. The animals from both groups were subjected to the same research procedure which involved daily clinical examination, with particular attention paid to the functioning of the genital system, and complete semen estimation. The above mentioned tests were performed twice at two-week intervals before administering the medication, three times at seven-day intervals during the treatment and twice at two-week intervals after the application of the drug was discontinued. Moreover, histopathological examination of testicles was additionally performed in randomly chosen representatives of each group during the treatment (on 12th day) and about 50 days after the treatment was discontinued. Each group of animals was studied and observed for, at least, 10 weeks. As the result of cyclophosphamide treatment, there was an increase in the percentage of dead spermatozoa, decreased spermatozoon concentration, a drop in the number of spermatozoa with correct functions of the cell membrane, a rise in the percentage of spermatozoa with primary and secondary abnormalities (defects). Histopatological examination confirmed slight damage to spermatogenic epithelium that resulted in a deterioration of the semen quality.
Keywords: cyclophosphamide, dogs, semen, spermatogenesis