Safety assessment of cefuroxime on male reproductive system: Subacute toxicity and potential reversibility after a complete cycle of spermatogenesis and epididymal maturation in Wistar rats.

The effects of cefuroxime on reproductive system were investigated in male rats. Doses of 0, 30, 60 or 120 mg/kg of cefuroxime were intraperitoneally injected daily, for 7 days. Half of the rats were euthanized 24 h after the last dose and other half were induced to death 70 days after the last treatment. After 8 days of the experiment, results showed that cefuroxime induced a significant reduction in the weights of testes, epididymis and accessory sex organs. In addition, it decreased sperm quality, plasma testosterone level, and antioxidant enzyme activities while increasing the level of malondialdehyde. After a complete cycle of spermatogenesis and epididymal maturation, the results indicated complete reversibility of the adverse effects previously mentioned. In conclusion, cefuroxime induced reversible dose-dependent adverse effects on testicular and epididymal functions of rats.