Hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis derangement following chronic phenytoin–levetiracetam adjunctive treatment in male Wistar rats

The effects of phenytoin (PHT), levetiracetam (LEV) or their adjunctive treatment on the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis in male Wistar rats were determined. Twenty‐eight male rats (150–180 g) were randomised into four groups (N = 7). Groups I to IV received intraperitoneal treatment of either normal saline (0.2 ml i.p) or PHT (50 mg/kg i.p) or LEV (50 mg/kg) or PHT (25 mg/kg) and LEV (25 mg/kg) combination for 28 days. The organ weight, concentrations of reproductive hormones and semen profile were determined, while the brain, epididymis and testis were preserved in 10% neutral‐buffered formalin for the histomorphological study. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results were presented as mean ± SEM in graphs or tables, while the level of significance was taken at p