Zoledronic acid induces cytogenetic toxicity in male germline cells of Swiss albino mice

This study mainly focuses on the cytogenetic toxicity induction by zoledronic acid (ZA), a nitrogen containing bisphosphonate (N-BPs) in the male germline cells of Swiss albino mice. A single intraperitoneal exposure with three different doses of ZA (2, 4, and 8?mg/kg body weight), toxicity was assessed by analyzing spermatogonial metaphase chromosome aberrations at 24?h, aberrant primary spermatocytes at week 4, and abnormal spermatozoa at week 8 posttreatment. Cyclophosphamide (40?mg/kg) and 0.9% NaCl were used as positive and vehicle controls respectively in the study. The results showed that there was a significant induction in the number of chromosomal aberrations especially at two doses of ZA (4 and 8?mg/kg) after 24?h in the spermatogonial cells (p?p?p?p?