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Background and Objective: Oxaliplatin is the main agent used in the treatment of colorectal cancers. Oxaliplatin inhibits DNA replication and transcription and to induce apoptosis or necrosis in cancer cells and rapidly dividing cell lines. This study was designed to determine the effect of Oxaliplatin on sperm parameters of 60 days old offspring during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation period in mice.
Methods: In this experimental study, 32 female NMRI mature mice were randomly allocated into 4 groups. Animals in control group were received 0.2 ml saline intraperitoneally (IP) during 21 days of pre-pregnany, pregnancy and lactation periods. Animals in experimental groups including pre-pregnant, pregnant and lactation groups were received 3 mg/kg oxaliplatin trice a week IP during 21 days before mating, during pregnancy and lactation periods, respectively. At the 60th postnatal day, all the male offspring were euthanized and sperm samples were obtained. Analysis of sperm parameters including count, motility, vitality, maturation and DNA integrity was done.
Results: Sperm count, motility and DNA integrity were significantly reduced in all three groups of Pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation in comparison with control group (P<0.05). Moreover, the percentage of immature and dead sperms were significantly increased in oxaliplatin groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Admistration of oxaliplatin induces adverse effect on sperm quality in perinatal period. The greatest effect of this drug is on lactation period. Also, by increasing the time interval for oxaliplatin administration in mice to puberty of offspring, the adverse effects of this drug on the quality of sperm parameters are reduced.