The Effects of Ecstasy on Pituitary-Gonadal Axis and Spermatogenesis in Mature Male Rats

Psychedelic drugs such as ecstasy which are usually taken by youth have diverse effects on body tissues and neurotransmitters like serotonin. In this study, we have examined the effects of these drugs on the pituitary-gonadal axis in rats to assess the process of spermatogenesis in testis.

Fifty mature rats of Wistar race were divided into 5 groups of ten as experimental and control groups. Since the amount of effective substance methylenedioxymethamphethamine (MDMA) was not clear in each pill, first the pills were weighed and solved in normal saline to prepare a standard solution. All rats were injected at 3 dosage (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) using insulin syringe and special feeder for 28 days. Then the blood samples were taken to measure FSH, LH and testosterone concentrations. The testis tissue was removed and after sectioning and staining, was examined for any changes. The achieved results were analyzed in SPSS software using T- test and ANOVA.

The serum levels of LH did not change significantly in experimental group compared to control group. A significant double impact was seen in the serum concentration of FSH in the experimental groups. A meaningful increase was seen in different groups in serum concentration of testosterone which was probably due to increase in the release of serotonin after exposure to ecstasy. The testis examination showed that its tissue has been atrophied compared to control group which may be due to the hyperthermic effect of the drug that may directly affect spermatogenesis.

According to the hormonal examinations and microscopic studies, we concluded that long lasting use of ecstasy causes destructive effects on the pituitary-gonadal axis and also causes testicular atrophy.