Effect of nonylphenol on spermatogenesis: A systematic review.

Nonylphenol (NP) is known as an environmental pollutant that has adverse effects on the spermatogenesis process. In this review, we focus on (1999-2020) studies on the effect of this pollutant on the sperm parameters and the male reproductive system. Spermatogenesis is a process in which male spermatogonia (primary germ cells) is divided into meiosis and produce spermatozoa. NP and its isomers can cause oxidative stress and alter the production of sex hormones, and thereby disrupting this vital process. By searching in the scientific databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Springer and Web of Science related articles were extracted. As a result, all observations have confirmed that NP can cause multiple damages to the spermatogenesis and male reproductive system.

Protective effects of silymarin on testis histopathology, oxidative stress indicators, antioxidant defence enzymes and serum testosterone in cadmium-treated mice.

Cadmium is known as an oxidative stress-inducing factor. Silymarin extracted from Silybum marianum is regarded as a potent antioxidant. The present study investigated the preventing effects of silymarin on cadmium chloride-induced toxicity in terms of testis histopathology and serum testosterone level as well as oxidative stress indicators in mice. In addition, the activities of antioxidant defence enzymes was evaluated. Adult male mice were divided into four groups (n = 6 in each group): (a) control; (b) cadmium chloride; (c) silymarin + cadmium chloride and (d) Silymarin. In this study, cadmium chloride significantly decreased the diameter and wall thickness of the seminiferous tubule, diameter of the spermatogonia nucleus and serum testosterone levels compared to the control group. Furthermore, in mice treated with this pollutant, a significant increase in malondialdehyde was observed while ferric reducing antioxidant power level, and the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly reduced in the testis. In the silymarin + cadmium chloride group, silymarin could significantly reverse the toxic effects of cadmium chloride. The findings of this study showed that silymarin, as a potent antioxidant, can compensate the adverse effects of cadmium chloride on testis histopathology, testosterone level, oxidative stress indicators and antioxidant defence enzymes in mice.

Protective antioxidant effects of N-acetylcysteine against impairment of spermatogenesis caused by paranonylphenol.

Paranonylphenol (p-NP) is an environmental pollutant that causes oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as an antioxidant on sperm parameters and testis in mice after treatment with p-NP. Adult mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6, each group) including 1-control, 2- p-NP (250 mg kg-1  day-1 ), 3- NAC (150 mg kg-1  day-1 ) and 4- p-NP + NAC. After 35 days of oral treatment, the mean of spermatogenic index (p < 0.02), sperm count (p < 0.01), daily sperm production (p < 0.01), sperm tail length (p < 0.02), progressive movement (p < 0.04), normal morphology (p < 0.04) and viability (p < 0.01) of spermatozoa and also serum testosterone level (p < 0.04) were significantly reduced in p-NP group when compared to other groups. While the count of the positive TUNEL cells in the seminiferous tubules (p < 0.01) and level of the malondialdehyde (MDA) in testis (p < 0.02) and serum (p < 0.01) significantly increased. In the histopathologic assay in the p-NP group, apoptosis, atrophy, oedema, reduction in sperm density in lumens and vacuoles were observed. The findings of this study indicate that NAC as a potent antioxidant be able to compensate the adverse effects of p-NP in spermatogenesis, testis and levels of testosterone and MDA in the p-NP + NAC group significantly compared to the p-NP group.