Pycnogenol® prevents hexavalent chromium-induced spermatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the ability of Pycnogenol ® (PYC) as an antioxidant to protect against hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]-induced spermatotoxicity and oxidative damage in rats. Twenty-four male rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: vehicle control, Cr(VI), Cr(VI)&PYC 10, and Cr(VI) &PYC 20 groups. Spermatotoxicity was assessed by reproductive organ weights, sperm analysis, and oxidative damage in testes and epididymides. The 6-day repeated oral dose of Cr(VI) produced a significant decrease in the sperm head count and sperm motility. Increased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and decreased catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were also observed in both testicular and epididymal tissues. On the contrary, concomitant administration of PYC significantly attenuated Cr(VI)-induced spermatotoxicity, as evidenced by the elevation of sperm head count and sperm motility in a dose-dependent manner. PYC treatment also reduced MDA concentration and increased GSH levels and CAT, SOD, and GST activities in testicular and epididymal tissues, indicating that concomitant administration with PYC efficiently prevented the Cr (VI)-induced oxidative damage in rats. These results indicate that PYC has a protective effect on spermatotoxicity induced by Cr(VI) in rats, and that the protective effects of PYC may be due to both the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the increase in antioxidant activity.