Abstract

Objective: In the present study, the effect of prolonged administration of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) and the ameliorative effect of vitamin E (VE) on sperm indices and testicular testosterone concentration was evaluated. Methods: Thirty five (n = 35) adult male Wistar rats used for this study were divided into five (5) groups of seven (7) rats each and treated as follows: Group I (control): 1 ml/kg distilled water; group II: 1 ml/kg olive oil; group III: 2.29 mg/13.74 mg AL; group IV: 2.29 mg/13.74 mg AL + 100 mg/kg of VE and group V: allowed to recover from treatment with AL for 2 weeks before sampling (2.29 mg/13.74 mg AL + two weeks recovery). Administration was done orally twice daily for a period of two (2) weeks. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed and the right testis with its epididymis was collected for analysis of sperm indices, while the left was homogenised in phosphate buffered saline for testicular testosterone concentrations assay. Results: A remarkable but insignificant (P > 0.05) decrease in all sperm indices (concentration, motility, vitality and morphology) and testicular testosterone level in the AL group when compared with the control group was obtained from the study. However, a significant (P < 0.05) increase in abnormal sperm morphology was observed in the recovery group. Conclusion: It is concluded from the present study that prolonged administration of artemether-lumefantrine does not significantly affect most sperm indices (except sperm head morphology) and testicular testosterone concentration.