Study on oxidative stress damage of reproductive organs in male rats induced by long-term exposure to crotonaldehyde

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of subchronic exposure to crotonaldehyde on reproductive damage and oxidative stress in male rate. Methods: Forty male SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into four group: a control group and 3 exposure groups, 10 per group. The rats in each group were continuously administrated with crotonaldehyde (normal saline) for 1 time/d. For 128 d, the doses were 0.0, 2.5, 4.5, 8.5 mg/kg. After the end of the exposure, the body weight, the weight of the testis and epididymis was measured, and calculating organ coefficient. The left spermatozoon tail was used to determine sperm motility, number and testicular tissue marker enzyme activity : LDH, SDH, ACP, γ-GT; blood biochemical related index concentration: FSH, LH, T; oxidative stress-related indicator concentrations: MDA, SOD, GSH-Px and CAT. Results: Compared with the control group, the weight gain, testicular and epididymis weight, and organ coefficient of the rats in the 4.5 and 8.5 mg/kg groups were decreased, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . In the exposed group, the testicular tissue volume was reduced, the color was dark, and the number of germ cells in some seminiferous tubules was reduced. Compared with the control group, the sperm count and sperm motility of the 4.5 and 8.5 mg/kg groups were significantly lower (P<0.05) ; compared with the control group, 4.5 and 8.5 mg/kg. The activities of serum ACP, LDH, SDH and γ-GT in the exposed group were significantly lower (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the serum levels of T in the 8.5 mg/kg group were decreased. The levels of LH and FSH in the 4.5 and 8.5 mg/kg exposure groups were significantly lower (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the rats in the 4.5 mg/kg and 8.5 mg/kg exposure groups were compared. The activity of MDA in serum increased, SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activity decreased, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Crotonaldehyde may cause subchronic reproductive damage and oxidative damage in rats by altering the hormone of the reproductive system, the expression of antioxidant enzymes, and destroying the oxidative balance of the rat.