Effect of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate on testis of albino rats: ultrastructural and biochemical studies.

Testis of male albino rats treated with depot medroxyprogesterone acetate DMPA, at the dose of 1 mg/animal/day for 60 days showed degenerative changes in the late spermatids. The changes were related with the mitochondrial sheath of the midpiece, including the plasma membrane enclosing the mitochondria and the mitochondrial cristae. Except lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase, all the testicular marker enzymes, viz. beta-glucuronidase, hyaluronidase, sorbitol dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase registered a significant decrease. The ultrastructural and biochemical changes are correlated, as the cellular degeneration is responsible for decrease in the activity of the marker enzymes.