Olive leaf extract recovers sperm parameters, spermatogenesis and apoptosis in adult rat following busulfan treatment

Background: Busulfan is used in the treatment of cancer, but it increase oxidative stress and devastate spermatogenesis, so finding a material that reduces the side effects of busulfan is essential. Olive leave because of its antioxidant properties might be effective. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effects of olive leaves extract (OLE) on sperm parameters, testis structure in male rats exposed to busulfan.Methods: Forty rats were divided into five groups. Control group received a single dose of busulfan solvent (I.P.) and D.W for 5 weeks by gavage. Busulfan group (Bu), received a single dose of busulfan solution (BS) (10mg/kg, I.P.). After a single administration of BS, OLE was orally administrated in graded doses of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg daily for 5 weeks. At the end, blood sample, testis morphometry, histology and sperm analysis was evaluated; also apoptotic germ cells were studied by using TUNEL assay.Result: Sperm number, viability and progressive motility and also the number of primary spermatocyte and leydig cells increased significantly in all treatment groups versus Bu. Apoptotic spermatogonia and primary spermatocyte cells were decreased significantly after administration of T-250 and T-500, while significant increase was observed in high dose OLE. Liver enzyme was significantly higher than other groups. Testosterone level was not significantly different between all groups.Conclusion: T-250 and T-500 might be helpful to side effects of busulfan on testes and sperm parameters, but T-750 was not as well as two other doses and even increased the apoptotic germ cells of testes besides increased liver enzymes level.

کلیدواژه ها:

Apoptosis ، Olive leave extract ، Sperm parameter ، Testis ، TUNEL staining ، Busulfan