Cabergoline Reduces Serum Luteinizing Hormone and Sperm Quality in Male Rattus losea

Studies have rarely focused on the effect of cabergoline dosage and duration on normal male animal and human. We examined the serum concentrations of four hormones, reproductive organ weight, and sperm quality of adult male lesser rice-field rats (Rattus losea) after cabergoline treatment. Forty male rats were randomly divided into five groups and treated with cabergoline given by gavage daily for 3 d at three doses (0, 50, and 100 µg/kg). Animals were euthanized at 7 and 24 days after the end of treatment. Results showed that cabergoline did not affect follicle-stimulating hormone levels. Compared with control, testosterone concentrations decreased significantly by 48.6% at 7 d after treatment with 100 µg/kg cabergoline. Luteinizing hormone concentrations were significantly reduced by cabergoline dosage and time course. Time course affected sperm density and sperm deformity rate. Cabergoline dosage and time course significantly affected male sperm vitality at 50 µg/kg. Moreover, cabergoline significantly decreased the percentage of 'rapid', 'slow or sluggish' progressive motility sperms, and increased the percentage of "immotility" sperms. The present study suggests that cabergoline may reduce luteinizing hormone level, and impair sperm quality, which hint weakening reproductive effects on male R. losea.