Ameliorating Effects of Curcumin and Propolis against the Reproductive Toxicity of Gentamicin in Adult Male Guinea Pigs: Quantitative Analysis and Morphological Study

Abstract

Infertility is a growing worldwide problem and about half of the causes could be traced in male partner. Aim of the work: the present work aimed to study propolis and curcumin for their potential ameliorative effects on reproductive toxicity induced by gentamicin in guinea pigs from morphological and quantitative aspects. Materials and methods: 36 guinea pigs were used for this study and divided into 6 groups. The first 3 groups were control (normal control, curcumin administered, and propolis administered), the 4th group was the experimental and administered gentamicin at a dose of 5 mg/kg body wt for 10 days, and in the 5th and 6th groups, gentamicin was co-administered with propolis and curcumin at the doses of 50 mg, and 10 mg/kg body wt respectively. The animals were sacrificed and the testes were dissected out from which specimens were obtained. The specimens were processed for light microscopic examinations and quantitative analysis. Blood samples were obtained for assessment of plasma testosterone level. Results: Structurally, in gentamicin treated animals, the seminiferous tubules showed sloughing of the germinal epithelium into lumen where sperms were few. The basement membrane appeared thick, irregular and degenerated. Wide interstitial spaces with few Leydig cells were observed. From the quantitative aspect, the percent of volume density and absolute volume of seminiferous tubules were significantly reduced. Also, the diameter, total length, and total surface area of seminiferous tubules were significantly reduced. The numbers of Sertoli cells, round spermatids and daily sperm production per testis and per gram of testicular tissue were significantly decreased in gentamicin treated guinea pigs. As regard to endocrine part of the testis, the percent of volume density of Leydig cell nuclei, the total number of Leydig cells, and plasma testosterone level were significantly decreased in gentamicin treated guinea pigs. With co-administration of propolis and curcumin, the structure of seminiferous tubules improved and their lumens were full of bundles of sperms. Also, all the parameters of seminiferous tubules and total numbers of Sertoli cells, round spermatids, daily sperm production and Leydig cells were ameliorated significantly as compared to gentamicin treated animals. Also, the testosterone level was improved. Conclusion: It can be concluded that, the gentamicin even at therapeutic dose can have adverse impacts on male reproduction. Administration of propolis or curcumin can ameliorate these effects. So, the patients while treated by gentamicin should be advised to use one of them.