Early effects of concurrent administration of artesunate-amodiaquine and nifedipine on sperm parameters and sex hormones in guinea pigs: An experimental study

Many antimalarial agents and calcium channel blockers have been demonstrated to alter male reproductive activity. Increasing prevalence of hypertension, therefore, increases concern of male infertility, and concurrent administration of antihypertensive and antimalarial agents in malaria-prone areas. The study evaluates the reproductive effect of co-administration of artesunate (Ats)-amodiaquine (Amod) and nifedipine (Nif) in male guinea pigs. In this experimental study, 24 adult male pigs were divided into four groups (n=6/ each) as one control (given distilled water) and 3 intervention groups (given standard daily dose equivalents of Ats-Amod, Nif or combination of both drugs) for 14 days. Serum levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Testicular weight was measured and the relative weight (organ-to-body weight ratio) was obtained. Sperm count, motility, and morphology were equally analyzed. Nif treatment produced no significant effect on the hormone levels (p=0.058) and sperm parameters (p=0.0568) that were measured, whereas Ats-Amod and Ats-Amod+Nif decreased testosterone level (p=0.0482), sperm count and motility (p