The effect of sulfoxo-bilactam-21-crown -7 on spermatogenesis in immature Balb/c mice

Crown ethers are host molecules of metallic and nonmetallic ions. The capability of crown ether in the controling of cellular cycle and changing the activiti of some enzyme has been reported. In this study the effect of new crown ether (sulfoxo-bilactam-21-crown -7) on testis tissue and spermatogenesis has been investigated. In this experimental study, 24 mice were allocated to three groups. Control group did not receive anything, while Sham-operated group received Tween 80 and experimental group received new crown ether (sulfoxo-bilactam-21-crown-7). LD50 of drug was considered as 40 mg/kg. Then dose of 20 mg/kg crown ether was injected intraperitoneally once every day for one week. Two weeks after the last injection, animals were anesthetized and dissected. Blood was collected intracardically for hormonal assay. The testis were extruded and then fixed for histological studies. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey test. Intraperitoneal injection of sulfoxo-bilactam-21-crown-7 (20 mg/kg) did not show significant changes in the number of type A and B spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and leydig cells in the experimental group compared to the control and Sham-operated groups. There was a significant increase in the level of testosterone (P<0.001) and a significant reduction was seen in the number of spermatids (P<0.05) and spermatozoa (P<0.001) in the experimental group compared to the control and Sham-operated groups. The results indicate that sulfoxo-bilactam-21-crown-7 diminishes the reproductive system activity and might be useful as a substance for birth control process