INVESTIGATION OF SEX HORMONE CONCENTRATIONS IN MALE WHITE RATS AND THE QUANTITATIVE AND ANATOMICAL CHANGES IN THEIR OFFSPRING FOLLOWING CHRONIC HALOPERIDOL ADMINISTRATION

Objectives: To investigate the effects of chronic, dose-dependent haloperidol administration on the concentration of sex hormones (total testosterone (Ttotal), free testosterone (Tfree), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PL), progesterone (PG), estriol (ER), estradiol (ED)), as well as fertilization rates, and the quantitative and anatomical parameters of offspring in male white rats. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on 54 white rats (both sexes, weighing 170-190 g) housed at the Scientific Research Center of Azerbaijan Medical University. The animals were divided into three groups, each consisting of 12 male rats and 6 female rats. The effects of chronic haloperidol administration on sex hormone concentrations and the quantitative and anatomical parameters of the offspring were examined. Results. Chronic administration of haloperidol at doses of 0.5 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg to male white rats resulted in a statistically significant, dose-dependent decrease in the levels of sex hormones: Ttotal, Tfree, FSH, LH, PG, ER, and ED (except PL). In females mated with haloperidol-treated males, significant alterations in pregnancy outcomes were observed. Compared to the control group, haloperidol administration reduced the number of offspring, caused abnormalities in their appearance, led to stillbirths, and delayed the opening of the auditory canal and the formation of the primary hairline. Additionally, a “reverse geotaxis” reaction was observed in the offspring. Conclusion. Compared to the control group, 2 offspring were born in the group receiving chronic haloperidol at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, while 3 offspring with congenital anomalies were born in the group receiving chronic haloperidol at a dose of 3 mg/kg. Significant changes in the course of pregnancy and visible deviations from the norm during childbirth were observed in females mated with male rats treated with haloperidol. Visual inspection of the offspring 24-48 hours after delivery revealed abnormalities, including asymmetry of the skull and facial skeleton, abnormal limb, tail, eye socket, nostril, and oral slit development, in both experimental groups.