Abstract
Background and objectives: Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat abnormal heart rhythms. This study aimed to analyse the histological variations in ovarian follicles of rats after treatment with different doses of amiodarone and evaluate its effects on follicular growth parameters. Methods: Thirty female albino rats were divided into control, therapeutic dose (20 mg/kg), and toxic dose (200 mg/kg) groups. Hormonal analysis showed insignificant changes in the therapeutic group but significant declines in follicle-stimulating hormone, estrogen, and increases in luteinizing hormone and prolactin in the toxic group. Results: Morphometric analysis revealed non-significant changes in primordial and primary follicles across groups but significant declines in secondary and mature follicles in the toxic group compared to the control. Histological examination showed mild variations in the therapeutic group but serious disturbances in ovarian follicular architecture, increased collagen fibres, congestion, inflammation, and corpora lutea hypertrophy in the toxic group. The degenerative effects were dose-related, confirming the safety of a low therapeutic dose. Conclusion: Amiodarone inflicts dose-dependent damage to the ovaries. Doctors can safely prescribe therapeutic doses tailored to patients' medical status.
