Increasing intramuscular doses of Methotrexate (25 mg / kg, 50 mg / kg,
100 mg / kg, 150 mg/ kg, 200 mg / kg, 250 mg / kg, 300 mg / kg) were tested on
Swiss strain Mouse by intramuscular injection. The reproductive potency was
evaluated by total s
perm count and movement of the left testis and it's
epididymis (15) days after injection. The weights of the latter of all tested
animals were registered.
The result indicate that Methotrexate, a Folate antagonist, is a negative
factor for sperm production in a dose related manner. It was evident that the
high doses (ex. Dose 200 mg / kg) lead to oligospermia. It was concluded that
Methotrexate inhibits the reproductive potency during spermatogenesis and
causes cytotoxicity in high doses. Further investigations are needed.