Evaluation of the intergenerational effects of valproic acid and sodium butyrate on male reproductive parameters in the rat.

Valproic acid is used to treat epilepsy and Sodium Butyrate is emerging as an alternative treatment option. Though VPA and SB may affect male reproductive system, their possible intergenerational effects on male reproductive parameters is not known. We treated male rats with 10 or 20 mg/kg VPA or SB and evaluated the intergenerational effects on the male reproductive-related parameters. Male rats exposed to 10 or 20 mg/kg VPA or SB displayed reduced ability to induce pregnancy, produced lower litter size, marked by reduced litter weight; and these changes were observed in the next two generations. Sperm count, sperm motility and testosterone levels were reduced only in VPA-treated rats, which was also intergenerational. Oligospermia was evident in the caput and cauda of VPA-treated rats and in the subsequent generations. Results of this study provide preliminary evidence that using these two drugs for the treatment of epilepsy in males could affect reproductive outcomes in the progeny.