The effect of ivermectin on secondary spermatocytes and serum total proteins.

Ivermectin, a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent first used in veterinary medicine, is active against numerous species of helminths and arthropods. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the effects of administration of ivermectin on secondary meiotic division and serum total proteins. Male mice treated with single injections of 200ug/kg b.w. IVM. Meiotic chromosomes were prepared after 6 hours, 2, 5, 10 and 12 days to cover the different phases of meiotic division. Blood samples were collected after 1, 7 and 14 days of the last injection to determine total protein content. Euploidy (haploid no which equal 20 chromosomes) was recorded in 8.6 of the scored cells of secondary spermatocytes. Hyperhaploid (metaphases that include more than 20 and less than 23 chromosomes) was also considered. A total of 46 hyperhaploid metaphases were registered for 2100 examined cells. The hyper-haploidy index was 2.49% versus 0.8% for the control. Acentric fragments were occasionally occurred. After 1 and 7 days, single injections of IVM led to elevate the total protein content than that resulted after double treatment. However, the data obtained after 14 days were closed together. In conclusion, IVM is produced a considerable signs of chromosomal damage to germ cells. So, the cytogenetic studies revealed high clastogenicity of the drug. On the other hand, the differences in total protein concentration obtained between treated and control samples indicate genotoxic potential for IVM.