Effect of Valproate (VPA) on Body Weight, Testis Diameter and Different Semen Parameters in Male Goats.
Abstract number :
3.095
Submission category :
Year :
2000
Submission ID :
1759
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/2/2000 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2000, 06:00 AM
Authors :
Anette Krogenaes, Erik Tauboll, Jan L Lyche, Irma Oskam, Ragnar Thomassen, Line Sveberg Roste, Erik Ropstad, Norwegian Sch of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway; Rikshospitalet, Univ of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
RATIONALE: Long-term VPA treatment has been shown to induce testicular atrophy, reduced spermatogenesis and alterations in semen quality in rats and dogs. The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in testis size and semen quality in young bucks. METHODS: Nine bucks, aged 2 months at the start of the study, received VPA mixture in doses up to 62.5 mg/kg adjusted according to serum concentrations, given perorally twice daily for 8 months. Seven bucks served as controls. Live body mass and testis diameter were measured repeatedly. Semen was collected once a week for 6 weeks and the ejaculate evaluated for volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, mass activity, percent motile sperms and velocity. RESULTS: Mean serum VPA concentrations measured 2, 4, and 6 h after last dose was 694, 485 and 301 ?mol/l, respectively. Testis diameter in VPA treated animals was reduced by 8% compared to controls (p=0.02, t-test). Semen volume and total sperm count were reduced by 15 and 20%, respectively (p<0.04). There was a non-significant reduction in mass activity score, percent motile sperms and velocity score. Live body mass did not differ between groups during the semen collection period. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term VPA treatment induces changes in testicular size and semen quality in young bucks. The clinical significance of this finding remains to be elucidated.