en |
The prophylactic effect of date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit extract on testicular toxicity induced by formaldehyde: An experimental study
Zare, Mahdieh; Haghpanah, Tahereh; Asadi Shekari, Majid & Eftekhar-Vaghefi, Seyed Hassan
Abstract
Background: Formaldehyde (FA) is one of the most widely used materials in industries
and in sciences. Prolonged contact with FA might have harmful effects on fertility due
to the increase in the reactive oxygen species level. On the other hand, date palm
(Phoenix Dactilifera L.) fruit extract (DPFE) contains a high concentration of natural
antioxidants that could scavenge free radicals.
Objective: The aim was to investigate the prophylactic effects of DPFE, with strong
antioxidant properties, on FA-induced testicular toxicity in male mice.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-two adult NMRI male mice with a weight range of 25-35 gr (9-10 wk old) were randomly divided into four groups: control group (distilled
water, orally for 35 days), FA group (FA; 0.25 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 20
days), treatment group (Date (DT) + FA; DPFE, 4 mg/kg for 35 days followed by FA
administration, 0.25 mg/kg, i.p., for 20 days), date fruit extract group (DT; DPFE, 4
mg/kg, orally for 35 days). After this, blood was collected and left epididymis and testis
tissues were isolated to evaluate the sperm parameters and histological examination,
respectively.
Results: The FA administration increased the sperm morphological anomalies and
reduced the sperm count, viability and motility, and also testosterone compared to
the control group (p ≤ 0.001). In addition, histological studies of the testes showed
that FA causes changes in the testis seminiferous tubules such as destruction of
germinal epithelium and vacuolization of the tubules. The DPFE consumption before
FA administration could partially ameliorate the reduced testosterone, sperm, and
testicular parameters due to FA.
Conclusion: The DPFE use might have discount effects on FA-induced testicular
toxicity.
Keywords
Formaldehyde; Date fruit; Testis; Toxicity; Sperm; Testosterone.
|