Background: Tranylcypromine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. It inhibits the breakdown of dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine and other monoamines. The aim of this study was to investigate the adverse effects of trarylcypromine on the spermatogenesis in adult male rats.

Methods: In this study, 50 adults male Wistar rats, weighing 200-250g, were used and divided into 5 groups of 10. Control group that was not given the treatment; the sham group received normal saline as a solvent and the experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 received 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg of trarylcypromine orally for 21 days. At the end of the trial period, the testes of rats were removed, tissue sections were prepared, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and the histological features were examined under light microscopy. The statistical analyses performed were ANOVA and Tukey tests, using SPSS software, version 19.

Results: The results demonstrated that the number of spermatogonials, primary spermatocytes, spermatids and Leydig cells in the experimental groups 2 and 3 receiving tranylcypromine significantly decreased compared to those in the control group. However, the number of Sertoli cells in the experimental groups did not change significantly at any dose of the drug compared to those in the control group (P≤0.05).

Conclusion: Tranylcypromine reduced spermatogenesis and the respective indices in rat testicular tissues.