Effect of repeated xylazine-ketamine or medetomidine-ketamine administration on selected reproductive parameters in male rats.

Background: Sperm retrieval methods and surgical interventions are typically performed with the aid of anesthetic agents. In cases where the depth of anesthesia is insufficient, the procedure is often repeated. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effects of repeated administration of xylazine-ketamine (XK) and medetomidine-ketamine (MK), as commonly used agents in laboratory animals, on sperm parameters, reproductive hormones, and testicular oxidative stress status. Methods: A total of 60 rats were used in the study. The animals were divided to two groups of thirty animals each as XK or MK groups, then each group was further divided into five subgroups (control, single dose, 1 repeat, 2 repeats, 3 repeats). Results: In the MK application group, the 2 repeats group exhibited a significant decrease in motility (P<0.001), an increase in the percent of abnormal sperms (P<0.05), and an elevated dead-to-live sperm ratio (P<0.001). In the MK 3 repeats group, a decrease in testosterone levels was observed (P<0.001). In all application groups (XK and MK), mRNA levels of testicular catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), androgen receptor (AR), and caspases 3/8/9 were significantly reduced (P<0.001). Conclusion: Despite the adverse effects of repeated anesthesia on certain testicular parameters, this study revealed that XK application is safer than MK in terms of spermatological characteristics.