ABSTRACT
Triphenyltin (TPT) is known to cause endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity and a decrease in testosterone production. It is involved in the production of reactive oxygen species. Propolis has been reported to be an important antioxidant. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the possible protective effects of propolis in alleviating the toxicity of triphenyltin chloride (TPTCl) on reproductive performance, testosterone levels, lipid peroxidation and enzyme activities in seminal plasma of male New Zealand white rabbits. Animals were orally administered the doses of propolis, TPTCl and propolis plus TPTCl every day for 12weeks. Results showed that semen quality was deteriorated following treatment with TPTCl. Also, testosterone levels, body weight (BW), relative weights of testes (RWT) and epididymis (RWE) were decreased. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and lactate dehydrogenase were increased, while glutathione S-transferase, transaminases and phosphatases were decreased in seminal plasma of rabbits treated with TPTCl compared to control. Propolis alone significantly increased testosterone levels, BW, RTW, REW, semen characteristics and seminal plasma enzymes, and decreased the levels of free radicals and lactate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, the presence of propolis with TPTCl alleviates its toxic effects. From the present study, it can be concluded propolis can be effective in the protection of TPTCl-induced reproductive toxicity.
Subject(s)
Infertility, Male/chemically induced , Infertility, Male/prevention & control , Organotin Compounds/antagonists & inhibitors , Organotin Compounds/toxicity , Propolis/pharmacology , Animals , Antioxidants/metabolism , Body Weight/drug effects , Eating/drug effects , Epididymis/drug effects , Male , Organ Size/drug effects , Rabbits , Reaction Time/drug effects , Semen/cytology , Semen/drug effects , Semen/enzymology , Sperm Count , Testicular Diseases/chemically induced , Testicular Diseases/physiopathology , Testicular Diseases/prevention & control , Testis/drug effects , Testosterone/bloodABSTRACT
Aluminium (Al) has been proposed as an environmental factor that may contribute to some diseases, affect several enzymes and other biomolecules and induced free radical-mediated cytotoxicity. Also, Al induced reproductive toxicity and exerted a significant adverse effect on the steroidogenesis. The antioxidant ascorbic acid (AA) plays an important role in various physiological processes in the body including detoxification of different toxic materials. Therefore, the present investigation aimed to elucidate possible protective effects of AA in alleviating the toxicity of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) on reproductive performance, lipid peroxidation and enzyme activities in seminal plasma of male New Zealand white rabbits. Six rabbits per group were assigned to one of four treatment groups: 0 mg AA and 0 mg AlCl3 /kg body weight (BW) (control); 40 mg AA/kg BW; 34 mg AlCl3 /kg BW; 34 mg AlCl3 plus 40 mg AA/kg BW. Rabbits were orally administered their respective doses every other day for 16 weeks. Results obtained showed that AlCl3 significantly (P<0.05) decreased libido (by increasing the reaction time), ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm output, sperm motility (%), total motile sperm per ejaculate (TMS), packed sperm volume (PSV), total functional sperm fraction (TFSF), normal and live sperm and semen initial fructose. While initial hydrogen ion concentration (pH) and dead and abnormal sperm were increased (P<0.05). Live body weight (LBW), feed intake (FI) and relative weights of testes (RTW) and epididymis (REW) were significantly (P<0.05) decreased. Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly (P<0.05) increased in seminal plasma of rabbits treated with AlCl3 compared with control. While, activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and acid phosphatase (AcP) were significantly (P<0.05) decreased. Ascorbic acid alone significantly increased LBW, FI, RTW, REW, semen characteristics and seminal plasma enzymes, and decreased the levels of free radicals. Also, the present study showed that ascorbic acid might be effective in the protection of aluminium-induced reproductive toxicity. It was suggested that AlCl3 exerted a significant adverse effect on reproductive performance of male rabbits. Furthermore, AA could be able to antagonize the toxic effects of AlCl3 and improved semen quality of male rabbit.
