Abbas Shahedi - Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Morteza Anvari - Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran Department of Reproductive Biology, Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd,
Aghdas Mirjalili - Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Majid Pourentezari - Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the sperm chromatin quality and rate of apoptosis in formaldehyde (FA)-exposed mice and the possible protective effects of curcumin (Cur) on the fertility potential of spermatozoa.Methods: Twenty-four adult male NMRI mice were randomly divided into three groups: Group Ι (control), group ΙΙ (Sham) received Cur solvent (۲ ml/day, intraperitoneal), group ΙΙΙ received FA (۱۰ mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and group ΙV received FA+Cur (۱۰۰ mg/kg, intraperitoneal). After ۳۵ days, the spermatozoa from right cauda epididymis were analyzed using Chromomycin A۳ (CMA۳) and TUNEL staining.Result: Regarding CMA۳ and TUNEL tests, the data revealed a significant increase (p <۰.۰۵) in control and sham groups compared to the FA and FA+Cur groups. There was also a significant decrease in CMA۳ tests and apoptosis in FA+Cur group compared to FA group (p <۰.۰۵).Conclusion: Cur, as a potent antioxidant, can attenuate detrimental effects of FA on the chromatin quality and apoptosis in an experimental animal model.

Formaldehyde, curcumin, Chromatin quality, Apoptosis, Sperm, Mice