Effect of sodium molybdate on cadmium-related testicular damage in adult male Wistar rats

Abstract

BackgroundMolybdenum, as a trace element, has various pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, antiviral, anti-allergic, anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and free radical-scavenging activities. This study aimed at investigating the sodium molybdate impacts on cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced testicular toxicity in adult Wistar rats. MethodsThe impacts of oral administration of sodium molybdate (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mg/kg) was evaluated in healthy and infertile animals. Animals were randomly assigned to nine groups, including healthy control, sodium molybdate alone, infertile control (3 mg/kg of CdCl2), and sodium molybdate plus CdCl2. Following 30 days of administration, animals were sacrificed for biochemical and histopathological assays. ResultsThe results indicated that administration of sodium molybdate to infertile rats significantly mitigated the cadmium impacts on sperm appearance, concentration, and motility parameters. Also, sodium molybdate reduced the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities in the testicular homogenates in rats; these findings were supported by histopathological examinations. Treatment with sodium molybdate significantly increased aquaporin-9 (AQP9) expression in the testicular tissues of infertile rats. ConclusionsThe current findings suggested that sodium molybdate performs as a strong protective agent from CdCl2-related testicular toxicity in rats.