Introduction: Sertraline (SRT) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drug that is widely used to manage depression with several sexual side effect. Spirulina is a powerful antioxidant and anti-apoptotic as it is a rich source of proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and carotenoids.
Aim of the Work: To assess histological and immunohistochemical changes induced by sertraline administration in testis as well as the possible role of spirulina in improving these changes in the testis of adult albino rat.
Materials and Methods: The current study was done on forty adult male albino rats were randomly divided into four main groups: group I represented the control group, group II was given spirulina (500 mg/kg/day) orally for consecutive 28 days, group III was given sertraline (20 mg/kg/day) orally for consecutive 28 days, and group IV was given both sertraline and spirulina in the same dose and manner as group II and group III for consecutive 28 days. The testes specimens were processed for different histological and immunohistochemical techniques. Morphometrical and statistical studies were also done.
Results: Sertraline induced several testicular destructive changes in the form of distortion of many seminiferous tubules, and degeneration of spermatogenic cells with cytoplasmic vacuolation and dark nuclei. Sloughing of the spermatogenic cell and absent sperms is observed. Degenerated Leydig cells, dilated congested blood vessels, and acidophilic material were observed in the interstitium. Mean area percentage of Masson trichrome showed an extremely significant increase while the means of the height of germinal epithelium, number of immunopositive cells of PCNA, and area percentage of positive immunoreaction of androgen receptors showed an extremely significant decrease. In contrast, spirulina cotreatment eliminated most of these histological alternations except for few localized areas.
Conclusion: Spirulina extract ameliorates the testicular destructive changes induced by sertraline.