Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine on changes in serum levels of Pituitary–Gonadal axis hormones and testicular tissue in acrylamide-treated adult rats

Abstract

Background: Acrylamide (ACR) has cytotoxic effects on various tissues of the body, including the reproductive system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on changes in serum levels of pituitary–gonadal axis hormones and testicular tissue in ACR-treated adult rats. Materials and Methods: Forty-two adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 7 equal groups including control group, sham group received only distilled water intraperitoneally, ACR group received 50 mg/kg ACR orally, NAC group received 40 mg/kg NAC intraperitoneally and ACR+NAC1, ACR+NAC2 and ACR+NAC3 groups received 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg NAC intraperitoneally, respectively, and then received 50 mg/kg ACR orally. After 28 days of treatment, serum levels of LH, FSH and testosterone were measured by ELISA method, and the testicular tissue was evaluated histopathologically. Results: Hormonal and histopathological analysis indicated that compared to the control, sham and NAC groups, the administration of ACR alone decreased FSH and testosterone levels while increased LH level, and also, it decreased spermatogenic and Leydig cells, but it had no effect on Sertoli cells. The administration of NAC alone had no influence on the level of hormones and spermatogenesis. Coadministration of ACR+NAC ameliorated the serum levels of FSH, LH and testosterone and increased the number of spermatogenic and Leydig cells and recovered spermatogenesis disrupts, in a dose-dependent manner compared to the ACR group. Conclusion: As a potent antioxidant, NAC could inhibit ACR-induced toxicity effects in a dose-dependent manner and ameliorate spermatogenesis in rats.