Abstract
Ciprofloxacin (CPFx) is one of a second-generation fluoroquinolones antibiotic and is prescribed a lot for curing bacterial infection. The aim of this study was to investigate of impact CPFx on sperm characteristics, liver DNA and histological structure of liver and testes. Twenty-four male mice aged 7-10 weeks were divided into three groups of eight. The first group (control) was given distilled water. The second and third groups received CPFx with doses 500 and 750 mg/kg respectively. All treatments were administrated orally for 14 days. Three untreated females were put with one treated male for mating. At the end of dosing period, mice were killed, testes and liver were removed and weighed. Sperm parameters, testosterone level and liver DNA were measured. Histopathology of liver and testes was carried out. The results showed that CPFx significantly affected liver DNA, sperm motility and morphology as well as it caused histopathological alterations of hepatic and testicular tissues. Moreover, it led to a significant elevation in the percentage of dead fetuses and also deformity fetuses. The results indicate that CPFX has detrimental effects on sperm quality, liver DNA and histological structure of testes and liver; therefore, it should be used with great caution.