PROPHYLACTIC EFFECT OF VITAMIN E AGAINST PARA-NONYLPHENOL-INDUCED TESTICULAR TOXICITY IN RATS: HISTOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

Abstract

Para-nonylphenol (P-NP) has been considered as an endocrine disrupting substance causing reproductive dysfunction and an increase in reactive oxygen species production in different organs including testis. This study was organized to elucidate the role of vitamin E as a strong antioxidant, against the reproductive toxicity induced by P-NP in male rats. A total of 25 male albino rats were divided into five groups (n=5): group I: control; group II: corn oil (the vehicle); group III: vitamin E (100 mg/Kg/day); group IV: P-NP (250 mg/kg/day) and group V: P-NP+vitamin E. Different treatments were administered daily by stomach tube for a duration of 3 weeks. Initial and final body weights and right testis weight were recoded for all groups. P-NP treatment caused a significant decrease in body and testis weight and epididymal sperm number compared to the other groups. A significant increase in epididymal sperms with different abnormalities was found in animals exposed to P- NP. The histopathological examination revealed that P-NP-treated group had higher rates of mal-developed seminiferous tubules; fewer number of Sertoli cells and incapacitated spermatogenesis, as well as, the expression of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was significantly decreased. Co-administration of vitamin E with P-NP compensated for the adverse effects of P-NP on the above-mentioned parameters. In conclusion, Co-administration of vitamin E with P-NP could reduce the oxidative stress and the toxicity induced by P-NP in the reproductive system of male albino rats.