Ali Soleimanzadeh - Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
Leila Mohammadnejad - Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
Abbas Ahmadi - Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

Busulfan is known to cause several adverse effects including reproductive toxicity in humans. Garlic (Allium sativum), a widely distributed medicinal plant, is highly regarded for its medicinal activities including antioxidant property.This study was conducted to assess whether garlic extract could serve as protective agents against testicular toxicity during busulfan treatment in a mice model.Seventy-two adult male mice were randomly divided into nine groups. In groups ۱,۲ and ۳, distilled water, busulfan, and dimethyl sulfoxide and in the treatment groups hydro-alcoholic extract of garlic was administered orally at different doses per day (groups ۴, ۵ and ۶; ۲۰۰, ۴۰۰, ۸۰۰ mg kg-۱ respectively). Groups ۷, ۸ and ۹ were treated with the extract (۲۰۰, ۴۰۰ and ۸۰۰ mg kg-۱, respectively) plus busulfan. Following euthanasia, blood samples and epididymal sperm were collected.The busulfan-treated group showed significant decreases in sperm qualityparameters, and serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH was observed in the busulfan-treated mice. In addition, the TAC levels and antioxidant enzymes activities were reduced and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were increased in the busulfan-treated mice. Notably, garlic extract co-administration caused a considerable recovery in sperm qualityparameters, TAC levels, antioxidant enzymes activities, hormonal changes and MDA level. Based on our results, garlic has antioxidant effects against busulfan-induced testicular damages in mice.

Allium sativum, Busulfan, Mice, Reproduction, Spermatozoa