P-76: Effects of Concurrent Ethanol and Saccharin Consumption on Sperm Parameters in Adult Mice

Background: Since sperm parameters have a critical role in reproductive function, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of concomitant ethanol and saccharin consumption on sperm parameters in adult mice. Chronic ethanol consumption suppresses male reproductive function and sexual behavior in laboratory animals and humans. Furthermore, alcohol abuse by males has been correlated with hypogonadism, feminization and alterations in reproductive hormonal homeostasis, reduced libido, ejaculation problems and impotence. Although, saccharin is an artificial sweetener, there is evidence for the carcinogenicity of sodium saccharin in experimental animals but not in humans. Materials and Methods: Totally 28 Adult male mice (10 weeks old, 35 g) were divided to 4 group, mice of group 1 served as control fed on basal diet, group 2 received water containing saccharin (0.2% w/v), group 3 received ethanol (10% v/v) containing saccharin (0.2% w/v) and group 4 received ethanol (5% v/v) containing saccharin (0.1% w/v) for 35 days. Finally, left cauda epididymis was cut in Ham’s F10. Retrieved spermatozoa were used to analyze count, motility, morphology (Pap-staining) and viability (eosin-Y staining). Results: Following ethanol and saccharin consumption, the sperm count diminished significantly. Also, a decrease in sperm motility and increase in rates of morphologic abnormalities (coiled and broken tails) were seen in case groups (groups 3, 4, 2 respectively) in comparison with controls. In spite of effect on sperm parameters, in saccharin group, the external genitalia showed morphological alterations. We saw inflammation in 4 animals, and atrophy in external genitalia and urinary bladder tumor in one mouse. Conclusion: Saccharin consumption affects sperm parameters but concurrent ethanol and saccharin consumption may have more detrimental effects than saccharin consumption alone.