Objective: To detect the mutagenic effects of phenytoin on human sperm chromosomes.
Methods: The mutagenic effects of phenytoin at 10, 20 and 40 microgram/ml were tested by an in vitro testing system of human sperm chromosomes, with leomycin A5 as a positive control and mutagen-free solution as the blank control.
Results: The frequencies of sperm with structural chromosomal aberrations and breakages of sperm chromosomes in the groups of 10 microgram/ml, 20 microgram/ml and 40 ug/ml of phenytoin were all higher than those in the blank control, but only in the group of 40 ug/ml, the elevated frequencies were statistically significant (P<0.005, P<0.05).
Conclusion: Phenytoin has probably mutagenic potential effect on human sperm cells.