Induction of sperm head abnormalities in mice by three tranquilizers.

Toxic effects of diazepam (DZ), chlordiazepoxide (CDZ) and nitrazepam (NZ) on the spermatozoa of mice have been studied at the end of 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks after 15 days repeated treatment with a daily oral dose of 0.5 mg. Different types of abnormalities involving both shape and size of the sperm head were noticed. Qualitatively NZ produced the maximum number of abnormal types. The incidences of abnormal sperm heads were significantly high in all the test weeks in the NZ series, at weeks 1 and 6 after DZ treatment, and at weeks 3, 4 and 6 after CDZ treatment. All three drugs produced maximum effects at week 6. The varying effects induced by the three benzodiazepines seem to be due to their differential pharmacokinetics.