Long-Term Effects of Betamethasone on Epididymal Tissue, Epididymal Sperm Counts and Fertility in Male Mice

Recent studies show that synthetic glucocorticoids alter testicular homeostasis, in this regard, the influence of betamethasone as a glucocorticoid widely used on histological changes, epididymal sperm counts and fertility was explored in male mice. the study sample (50 mice) was allocated to 3 treatment groups, placebo and a control group. control group was no injected. only normal saline was given to the placebo group and betamethasone (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) was injected to the treatment group in peritoneum for 20 days (every other day). after treatment periods, two mice from each group were selected to measure fertility and each male with two females mice were kept for 15 days. after two weeks, the female mice were sedated and the number of embryos in the uterine horn was counted. however, epididymal sperm was counted in others mice by preparation epididymal suspension. the data analysis was done in spss through the duncan's multiple ranges test. evaluation of epididymal sections under the microscope showed difference between the group treated in epididymal tissue sections and the control group. this means that the amount of spermatozoa in treated groups with betamethasone was lower than in the control group. epididymal sperm and the fertility rate in all doses of betamethasone significantly decreased compared with the control group. however, increasing the dose of betamethasone fertility rate also non-significantly decreased. it seems that glucocorticoids like the betamethasone affect testicular function and spermatogenesis causes reduced fertility and have adverse effects on male reproduction.