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The effect of green tea extract on the sperm parameters and histological changes of testis in rats exposed to para-nonylphenol
Azizi, Parisa & Mehranjani, Malek Soleimani
Abstract
Background: Para-nonylphenol (p-NP), an environmental contaminant, can generate
free radicals that disturbs the reproductive properties. Green tea extract (GTE) is an
antioxidant which may prevent the adverse effects of free radicals.
Objective: The aim was to investigate the effect of GTE on sperm parameters and testis
tissue in p-NP-treated rats.
Materials and Methods: 24 adult male Wistar rats (215 ± 20 gr) were randomly divided
into four groups (n = 6/each) – including control, p-NP (200 mg/kg/day), GTE (200
mg/kg/day), and p-NP + GTE – and orally treated for 56 days. The right testes and
left caudal epididymis were used to evaluate selected parameters. In addition, the
concentration of serum malondialdehyde was calculated.
Results: A significant decrease in the sperm number, motility, viability and morphology
(p < 0.001) was observed in the rats treated with p-NP compared to the control ones.
The diameter of seminiferous tubules (p < 0.001), thickness of germinal epithelium (p
= 0.018), total volume of testis (p = 0.009), volume of seminiferous tubules (p < 0.001),
and testis weight (p = 0.017) decreased in the p-NP group in contrast with the other
groups. Moreover, a significant increase of the malondialdehyde concentration was
seen in the p-NP group when compared with the controls (p = 0.043). The majority of
adverse effects of p-NP could be recovered following the administration of GTE.
Conclusion: It seems GTE can be used as a potent antioxidant in the case of p-NP
toxication.
Keywords
Green tea extract; Para-nonylphenol; Sperm; Testis; Rat.
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