Objective: 

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) drugs on testicular tissue and to evaluate the protective effects of the sildenafil on the testicular damage treated with anti-TB drugs.

Methods: 

Eight groups were designed. Group I (control), group II given sildenafil (1.5 mg/kg p.o. for 45 days), group III given isoniazid (INH) (30 mg/kg p.o. for 45 days), group IV streptomycin (STR) (20 mg/kg i.m. for 45 days), group V (INH+STR), group VI (Sildenafil+INH), group VII (Sildenafil+STR), and group VIII (Sildenafil+STR+INH). Left testis was excised and histopathological examination was performed. Groups were analyzed with one–way ANOVA followed by Tukey.

Results: 

All groups were compared according to the Johnsen testicular biopsy score. Compared with the control group (group I), group III, group IV, and group V scores were significantly decreased. Histopathologic examination of testicular tissue in groups III and groups II, a little bit more obvious signs of oedema were observed than the other groups in general. At seminiferous tubules, varying degrees of increased spermatogenesis was observed in sildenafil given groups. INH was decreased more in the STR according to the Johnsen testicular biopsy score. Sildenafil had a protective effect on the testis in rats which were treated with INH and STR.

Conclusions: 

Our results indicate that sildenafil reduced the testicular damage in rats which were treated with antituberculosis drugs.