Banca de DEFESA: MAELE OLIVEIRA DE SENA

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MAELE OLIVEIRA DE SENA
DATE: 25/02/2026
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Virtual
TITLE:

Effects of topiramate on testicular histomorphology, sperm parameters, and epididymal duct contraction in rats

KEY WORDS:

Topiramate, epididymis, testis, sperm parameters.

PAGES: 54
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Farmacologia
SUBÁREA: Farmacologia Geral
SUMMARY:

The effects of topiramate, a widely used antiepileptic drug, on male fertility are not fully understood, particularly when considering the epididymis as a potential target of this agent’s anti-reproductive actions. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of topiramate on sex hormone levels, sperm parameters, testicular morphological architecture, and contraction of the isolated epididymal duct from the distal cauda region in rats. For this purpose, Wistar rats were orally treated by gavage for 21 days with topiramate at doses of 40 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg. At the end of the treatment, animals were euthanized and blood samples were collected for sex hormone measurements. Testes were processed for histopathological analyses and used to determine parameters such as spermatid count and daily sperm production. Epididymides were used to assess sperm parameters, including sperm quantity in different epididymal regions, sperm transit time, morphology, motility, and viability. Organ bath experiments were performed in segments of the epididymal duct isolated from the distal cauda to evaluate the in vivo and in vitro effects of topiramate on epididymal contractions. Treatment with topiramate at 40 mg/kg reduced body mass and prostate weight. At this dose, an increase in the number of spermatozoa in the epididymal cauda was observed, accompanied by a prolongation of sperm transit time in this region. The proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa was also reduced in animals treated with topiramate 40 mg/kg. Conversely, treatment with 160 mg/kg of topiramate for 21 days produced more pronounced anti-reproductive effects. Animals treated with 160 mg/kg of topiramate showed: (a) reduced body mass and increased relative mass of the testis, prostate, and seminal vesicle; (b) decreased spermatid count in the testis and reduced daily sperm production; (c) decreased sperm number in the caput/corpus epididymis; (d) increased sperm transit time in the cauda epididymis without affecting sperm number in this region; (e) reduced motility and lower proportion of morphologically normal spermatozoa; and (f) decreased contraction of the distal cauda epididymal duct. Treatment with topiramate at both doses for 21 days did not alter testosterone levels. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that topiramate treatment, particularly at the higher dose (160 mg/kg), induced significant alterations in reproductive parameters in rats.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2412258 - EDILSON DANTAS DA SILVA JUNIOR
Externa à Instituição - KATYANNA SALES BEZERRA - UNICAMP
Externo à Instituição - RAMON TADEU GALVAO ALVES RODRIGUES