The Effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Achillea millefolium on Sperm Parameters in Cyclophosphamide Treated Mice

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a chemotherapy drug with adverse effects on reproductive organs. Achillea millefolium (AM) is a medicinal plant with potential antioxidant properties. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of extract of AM on sperm parameters in CP Treated mice. Material & Methods: Thirty male adult NMRI mice were randomly arranged into 5 groups. Group 1 received normal Saline (0.1 ml/kg), group 2 received CP alone (5mg/kg), group 3 received CP (5mg/kg) + hydro-alcoholic extract of AM (75mg/kg). Group 4 received CP (5mg/kg) + hydro-alcoholic extract of AM (150mg/kg) and Group 5 received CP (5mg/kg) + hydro-alcoholic extract of AM (300mg/kg). Treatments were continued for 35 days. At the end, after mice euthanization by cervical dislocation, Sperm were obtained from caudal epididymis using dissecting method. Then, the parameters of sperm quality including sperm count, motility, viability were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: In group 2, the sperm count, motility, viability significantly decreased compared to control group (p<0.001). in group 4 all of these parameters significantly increased compared to group 2 (p<0.001) and in the group 5 sperm count significantly decreased compared to group 2 (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicated that AM (Medium dose) has protective effect against CP -induced reproductive toxicity in CP Treated Mice probably by decreasing oxidative stresses. But High dose of AM (300mg/kg) caused increase reproductive toxicity of CP.

Achillea millefolium, Cyclophosphamide, Mice, Reproductive toxicity, Sperm Parameters