Sildenafil citrate (SIL) a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5I) has been used for long time as a first line oral drug for erectile dysfunction. Though it has beneficial effects on erectile organ it also has some adverse effects in other cells and/or tissues related to reproductive system when exposed to longer duration. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the long term effect of SIL on sperm parameters in Wistar albino rat. The animals are divided into two groups, for group I - rats were treated with saline (vehicle alone) and group - II oral administration of 5 mg/kg b.w. of SIL was administrated orally once in a day for 120 days. At the end of the trial period animals were sacrificed and epididymal sperm were subjected to various analysis. Results showed significant reduction in sperm count, motility, viability and morphologically intact sperm in long term PDE5I exposed animals when compared to control. Acrosomal status and fertility test also showed significant reduction in long term PDE5I exposed animals. The present study clearly indicated that long term SIL has shown to induce alteration in sperm quality and quantity, leading to decline in fertility rate. Indicate that SIL impinge on spermatogenesis as well as epididymal function. Understanding the molecular down-stream events involved in long-term exposure to PDE5 inhibitor can be valuable to supervise on related infertility issues and to suggest corrective measures.

ABSTRACT   INTRODUCTION   MATERIALS AND METHODS    Animal Used    Sildenafil Citrate Administration    SPERM ANALYSIS    Sperm Count    Sperm Viability and Motility    Morphology and Morphometry    Cytoplasmic Droplet Containing Sperm    Analysis of Sperm Acrosomal Status    Fertility Test   RESULTS    Sperm Analysis    Morphology and Morphometrical Analysis    Cytoplasmic Droplet    Acrosomal Status Test    Fertility Test   DISCUSSION   REFERENCES

• Sekar Suresh(Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Division of Animal Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration)
• Elumali Prithiviraj(Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus)
• Nagella Venkatalakshmi(Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus)
• Mohanraj Karthik Ganesh(Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus)
• Lakshmanan Ganesh(Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus)
• Hyun-Jeong Lee(Division of Animal Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration)
• Seppan Prakash(Department of Anatomy, Dr. Arcot Lakshmanasamy Mudaliar Postgraduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus) Corresponding author