Effects of exposure to ivermectin in rats: reproductive aspects in male and female

Abstract

Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone used in the treatment of parasitic infections in humans and widely used in veterinary medicine as endectocide. In mammals, several evidences indicate that interact with the macrocyclic lactones chloride channels mediated by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is known that the GABAergic system is involved in the manifestation of sexual behavior. Previous studies from our group about the behavioral effects of acute administration of macrocyclic lactones showed impairment in sexual behavior in rats, and these effects associated with the central GABAergic system. Recently, in our master degree we observed that ivermectin administration in male rats reduced testosterone levels without interfering with sexual motivation and penile erection, while in females impaired sexual behavior. Thus, continuing our studies and to contribute to the understanding of the physiological, pharmacological and molecular mechanisms involved in the effects of ivermectin in the reproductive sphere, in this project we propose to evaluate in male rats testicular function, morphology and motility of semen, and in females, the physiological estrous cycle and in both genders, hormonal status and the expression of sex hormone receptors after 24, 72, 120 and 168 hours of its administration. (AU)