Ameliorative Effect of Palmiwon on Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB, Aroclor 1254)-Induced Spermiotoxicity in the Rat / 대한남성과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, Aroclor 1254), synthetic chlorinated organic compounds, are known to decrease thyroid function, sperm count, and fertility, and increase the risk of testicular cancer; they may have serious effects on male reproduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of palmiwon on PCB-induced spermiotoxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 90-day-old male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, each consisting of ten animals. The control group (Group I) received corn oil, the second group of rats (Group II) was administered 2 mg/kg body weight/day of Aroclor 1254+corn oil intraperitoneally for 30 days. The third group of rats (Group III) was treated with 2 mg/kg body weight/day of Aroclor 1254+corn oil intraperitoneally plus palmiwon (300 mg/day) orally for 30 days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, the animals were killed by decapitation. Their serum testosterone levels was measured before and after the experimental medication was taken, and the number and motility of sperm, which had been collected from the cauda epididymal region, were evaluated. RESULTS: The results of this experiment show that treatment with palmiwon significantly improved sperm motility and number in rats that had been exposed to PCBs. There was no marked difference in body weight, testis weight, or epididymis weight among the groups. Nor were there any significant pathological differences in the testes among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Palmiwon has the potential for treating PCB-induced spermiotoxicity. More experiments with larger samples and a longer period of treatment are needed.