Protective Effect of Propolis and Vitamin E on Testicular Dysfunction in Male Rats Induced by Cadmium Chloride

Background: Testicular dysfunction in male rats can manifest in various ways and may be caused by genetic, environmental, hormonal, and nutritional factors.  Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effects of Propolis and vitamin E against induced testicular dysfunction by cadmium chloride (CdCl۲) in male rats.Methods: Forty adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups containing ۱۰ animals each as follows: Group ۱ (negative control group): rats received distilled water; group ۲ (positive control group): Rats received CdCl۲ at ۱ mg/kg every ۷۲ h via intraperitoneal (IP) injection; group ۳ (CdCl۲+propolis): rats were treated with Propolis at ۲۵۰ mg/kg body weight (BW) orally daily by a gavage needle, followed by CdCl۲ at ۱ mg/kg IP injection every ۷۲ h and group ۴ (CdCl۲ + Vit E): rats were treated with Vit E at ۱۰۰ mg/kg body weight (BW) orally daily by a gavage needle followed by CdCl۲ ۱ mg/kg by IP injection every ۷۲ h. After four weeks, the animals were sacrificed, and tissues were collected to measure experimental parameters, including histopathological study, testosterone level, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and caspase ۳. Results: The results showed a significant (P≤۰.۵) increase in caspase and TNF-α in G۲ compared to G۱, while testosterone showed a significant (P≤۰.۵) decrease in G۲ compared to G۱. Treatment with propolis and vitamin E enhanced testosterone, TNF-α, and caspase three concentrations compared with G۲ (positive group). Histopathological analysis of Propolis and Vitamin E restored normal tissue structure compared to the positive control group, showing clear damage in the interstitial Leydig cells and severe damage in the interstitial connective tissue. In contrast, the Sertoli cells and primary spermatocytes showed clear necrotic changes. Conclusion: The study concluded that propolis and vitamin E have neuroprotective effects against testicular dysfunction.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cadmium chloride (CdCl۲) ، propolis ، Testicular dysfunction ، vitamin E