The Effects of Ranitidine Long Term Use on Histological Structure of Mature Rat Testis

Background: Since ranitidine inhibits the activity of testis Na+-K+ATPase, Ca++ATPase and Mg++ATPase enzymes, and affects estrogen metabolism in the liver and causes gynecomastia, the effects of long term use of ranitidine on testis were studied. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 40 two-month aged male rats were divided into four groups (control group and 1, 2&3 test groups). Test groups were treated with 10, 70&400 mg/kg/day ranitidine orally for two months. Right testis of each rat excised and fixed in Buins fluid. After processing and sectioning, samples stained by H&E, PAS & Trichrom staining methods and then studied qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative values were assessed by Tukey test in P<0.05 with SPSS Ver.12. Findings: Ranitidine didn’t make histological lesions in testis and had no significant effect on diameter of seminiferous tubule (St) and epithelial thickness in optimal dose (10 mg/kg/day). High doses of ranitidine (70 & 400 mg/kg/day) led to cleft formation in St epithelium, ST epithelial cavitation, St atrophy and decreased St epithelial thickness, but didn’t change St diameter. Conclusion: long term consumption of Ranitidine at optimal dose didn’t cause lesions in normal testis structure and didn’t show significant effects on St diameter and thickness of St epithelium.