Abstract
Aim:This study was designed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of Nigella sativa (NS) treatment on toxic effects induced by lead acetate (LA) on the reproductive hormones, spermiogram and gonadal histology of rats.Materials and Methods:A total of 20 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of five rats each. Group 1 (negative control [NC]) was the NC and was given distilled water, Group 2 served as the positive control (PC) and was administered 10 mg/kg/day of LA per overall survival (OS), Group 3 (T1) was administered 200 mg/kg/daily of NS per OS for a month, and Group 4 (T2) was pretreated with 200 mg/kg/daily of NS per OS for 1 month, followed by 10 mg/kg/daily of LA alone per OS for another. The rats were euthanized at the end of the experimental period for collection of blood and the right caudal epididymis and testis. Serum was used for determination of reproductive hormones by using radioimmunoassay kits. The epididymal segment was cut and homogenized in phosphate-buffered saline, and the homogenate was used for determination of the spermiogram parameters such as sperm concentration, sperm viability, percentage of live sperm, motility and abnormality. Both the epididymis and testis were fixed in 10% buffered formalin for histological processing.Results:The sperm concentration, general, and individual motilities were higher (p<0.05) in the NC and T1 animals, while the T2 had intermediate and the PC had lower (p<0.05) values of each parameter. The percentage sperm viability was higher (p<0.05) in the T1 and lower (p<0.05) in the PC group. However, percentage abnormality was lower in T1, comparable in NC and T2, and higher (p<0.05) in PC. Spermatogenic cell population and epididymal sperm reserve (ESR) were optimal in control and pretreated animals, while the PC had lower spermatids and ESR. The concentration of estradiol (EST) was lower (p<0.05) in the PC and T2, while leuteinizing hormone (LH) concentration was lower (p<0.05) in the PC, and comparable (p>0.05) between control and T2. The concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was comparable (p>0.05) in all groups, while testosterone (TS) hormone concentration was lower (p<0.05) in the PC and higher in the control and T1 groups.Conclusion:This study showed the preventive effects of NS administration against alterations in reproductive hormnes, sperm parameters and gonadal histology caused by LA in rats.
Highlights
Lead is considered as one of the most hazardous and cumulative environmental pollutants that affect all biological systems through exposure from air, water, and food sources [1]
This study showed the preventive effects of Nigella sativa (NS) administration against alterations in reproductive hormnes, sperm parameters and gonadal histology caused by Lead acetate (LA) in rats
This concurs with the findings of this study where it was observed that the LA (PC) group had reduced fertility index and increased percentage abnormality when compared with the NS pre-treatment and control groups
Summary
Lead is considered as one of the most hazardous and cumulative environmental pollutants that affect all biological systems through exposure from air, water, and food sources [1]. The effects of lead on tissues and organs have been attributed to the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), an issue that. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/ publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. Lead induced oxidative stress promotes hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation [4]. Lead acetate (LA) has been shown to decrease male reproductive organ function by causing testicular tissue alterations in the histological patterns of the testis [5]
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