THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF SESAME SEED OIL AGAINST PENCONAZOLE-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN THE TESTES OF MALE RATS

Abstract

the present study was carried out to elucidate the potential protective effect of sesame seed oil (Ses) against testicular oxidative stress induced by penconazole fungicide in adult male albino rats. Sixty male rats were divided into six groups, a control group, Ses-supplemented rats, rats treated with penconazole at two doses 30 & 60 mg/kg body weight, which represent 1/20 and 1/10 LD50 respectively, rats co-administered Ses along with penconazole treatment. Testicular redox status was evaluated, including lipid peroxidation (LPO) level, reduced glutathione (GSH) level, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and the residues of penconazole in testicular tissue was determined. Penconazole induced oxidative stress in testicular tissue as demonstrated by the significant increase in the lipid peroxidation level as well as the significant reduction in antioxidant activity. In contrast, co-administration of Ses along with penconazole treatment counteracted the induced oxidative stress by lowering lipid peroxidation level and enhancing testicular antioxidant enzymes activities. In addition, residues of penconazole in the testes of treated rats were below the determination limit. In conclusion, supplementation of male rats with sesame seed oil protects the testes against penconazole-induced oxidative stress which could be attributed to the antioxidant property of the sesame seed oil.