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Fertility in rams treated with clomiphene citrate
BY
Wael M.B. Noseir, Ph.D.
(Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Edfina, Behaira, Egypt.) (email; [email protected]) (Tel; 034259945 Egypt)
Abstract
The effect of orally administered clomiphene citrate on the fertility of rams was studied. Semen and blood samples were collected from 10 mature and fertile Rahmani rams (control) twice per week for 3 weeks. Each ram was treated with 100mg-clomiphene citrate for 5 days. Semen and blood samples were collected again from the clomiphene citrate treated rams (CC treated) for the same period. Semen parameters (sperm motility, live sperm, and sperm concentration) were assessed in the two groups. Blood samples were subjected to radioimmunoassay for assessment of testosterone concentration in the control and CC treated rams. A reduction in the values of semen parameters was observed in the CC treated rams. Testosterone concentration was significantly decreased (approximately 50% from control rams) by clomiphene citrate treatment. It could be concluded that clomiphene citrate has a deteriorative effect on semen quality and testosterone concentration when it is orally administered to mature and fertile rams.
Key Words; Clomiphene, Clomiphene citrate, Rams, Fertility
Introduction
Clomiphene citrate is a drug having augmenting influences on fertility. In the female, clomiphene affects fertility in a positive way by tricking the body into thinking that less estrogen is present than there really is, by blocking estrogen’s attachment to its receptor, and the body responds by releasing greater amounts of FSH that stimulates ovogenesis (IRMSSB, Unpublished data, 1997). In the male rats, it is effective in increasing the male’s serum level of LH and FSH, which stimulate testosterone and sperm production by the testes (Fertilitext, Unpublished data, 1997). In infertile male rats, clomiphene citrate treatment together with testosterone administration has maintained their fertility (Rej et.al., 1988). On the other hand, Sokol, et.al. (1988) have shown that clomiphene citrate is not a useful drug in the treatment of male infertility. Clomiphene citrate treatment in intact male rats was found to inhibit their reproduction (Brown and Chakraborty, 1988). The aim of this study is to determine whether clomiphene citrate can improve fertility of rams, measured by semen evaluation and serum testosterone concentration, or not.
Material and Methods
Ten Rahmani rams from Alexandria veterinary faculty farm were assigned for this study. Semen samples were collected from each ram (control) twice per week for 3 weeks. Blood samples were collected from each ram following semen collection. A period of rest (10 days) was given to the rams. Then each ram was given clomiphene citrate (CC) orally (Clomiphene, ADCO, Egypt) at a daily dose of 100mg for 5 days. Semen and blood samples were collected again from the CC treated rams.
Semen samples were collected by the electroejaculator. The percent of motile sperm, percent of live sperm, and sperm cells concentration (using haemocytometer method), were subjected for evaluation.
Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture. Serum samples were obtained by centrifugation (3000rpm/min for 15 minutes) for assessment of testosterone concentration by radioimmunoassay using a testosterone kits (Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Texas, USA).
T-test (Norusis, 1986) was used for comparing the obtained data of semen analysis and serum testosterone concentration, before and after CC treatment.
Results
The values of studied semen parameters (percentage of motile sperm, percentage of live sperm, and sperm cells concentration) before CC treatment were found within the normal range reported on Rahmani ram’s semen characteristics (table, 1). After CC treatment, these values showed a significant decrease (P £ 0.01), in the percentage of sperm motility and in the percentage of live sperm (table, 1). Moreover, there was a noticeable significant decrease (P £ 0.01) in sperm cells concentration after CC treatment.
A significant decrease (P £ 0.01) in testosterone concentration was noticed after CC treatment. Serum testosterone drop, after CC treatment, could be estimated to approach 50% below control value (table, 1).
BY
Wael M.B. Noseir, Ph.D.
(Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Edfina, Behaira, Egypt.) (email; [email protected]) (Tel; 034259945 Egypt)
Abstract
The effect of orally administered clomiphene citrate on the fertility of rams was studied. Semen and blood samples were collected from 10 mature and fertile Rahmani rams (control) twice per week for 3 weeks. Each ram was treated with 100mg-clomiphene citrate for 5 days. Semen and blood samples were collected again from the clomiphene citrate treated rams (CC treated) for the same period. Semen parameters (sperm motility, live sperm, and sperm concentration) were assessed in the two groups. Blood samples were subjected to radioimmunoassay for assessment of testosterone concentration in the control and CC treated rams. A reduction in the values of semen parameters was observed in the CC treated rams. Testosterone concentration was significantly decreased (approximately 50% from control rams) by clomiphene citrate treatment. It could be concluded that clomiphene citrate has a deteriorative effect on semen quality and testosterone concentration when it is orally administered to mature and fertile rams.
Key Words; Clomiphene, Clomiphene citrate, Rams, Fertility
Introduction
Clomiphene citrate is a drug having augmenting influences on fertility. In the female, clomiphene affects fertility in a positive way by tricking the body into thinking that less estrogen is present than there really is, by blocking estrogen’s attachment to its receptor, and the body responds by releasing greater amounts of FSH that stimulates ovogenesis (IRMSSB, Unpublished data, 1997). In the male rats, it is effective in increasing the male’s serum level of LH and FSH, which stimulate testosterone and sperm production by the testes (Fertilitext, Unpublished data, 1997). In infertile male rats, clomiphene citrate treatment together with testosterone administration has maintained their fertility (Rej et.al., 1988). On the other hand, Sokol, et.al. (1988) have shown that clomiphene citrate is not a useful drug in the treatment of male infertility. Clomiphene citrate treatment in intact male rats was found to inhibit their reproduction (Brown and Chakraborty, 1988). The aim of this study is to determine whether clomiphene citrate can improve fertility of rams, measured by semen evaluation and serum testosterone concentration, or not.
Material and Methods
Ten Rahmani rams from Alexandria veterinary faculty farm were assigned for this study. Semen samples were collected from each ram (control) twice per week for 3 weeks. Blood samples were collected from each ram following semen collection. A period of rest (10 days) was given to the rams. Then each ram was given clomiphene citrate (CC) orally (Clomiphene, ADCO, Egypt) at a daily dose of 100mg for 5 days. Semen and blood samples were collected again from the CC treated rams.
Semen samples were collected by the electroejaculator. The percent of motile sperm, percent of live sperm, and sperm cells concentration (using haemocytometer method), were subjected for evaluation.
Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture. Serum samples were obtained by centrifugation (3000rpm/min for 15 minutes) for assessment of testosterone concentration by radioimmunoassay using a testosterone kits (Diagnostic Systems Laboratories, Texas, USA).
T-test (Norusis, 1986) was used for comparing the obtained data of semen analysis and serum testosterone concentration, before and after CC treatment.
Results
The values of studied semen parameters (percentage of motile sperm, percentage of live sperm, and sperm cells concentration) before CC treatment were found within the normal range reported on Rahmani ram’s semen characteristics (table, 1). After CC treatment, these values showed a significant decrease (P £ 0.01), in the percentage of sperm motility and in the percentage of live sperm (table, 1). Moreover, there was a noticeable significant decrease (P £ 0.01) in sperm cells concentration after CC treatment.
A significant decrease (P £ 0.01) in testosterone concentration was noticed after CC treatment. Serum testosterone drop, after CC treatment, could be estimated to approach 50% below control value (table, 1).
