Protective effect of ellagic acid against lead-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

Abstract

Introduction: Infertility affects many couples especially in developing countries and is a reproductive health
problem worldwide. The widespread use of heavy metals like lead has led to manifold rise in the occurrence of
free lead in biological systems and the inert environment. The detrimental effect on male reproductive system
is one of the major evidence of occupational and environmental lead exposure. It has been documented that the
presence of higher amounts of lead in the blood of exposed workers compared to control workers is associated with
reduced volume of ejaculation, decreased total sperm number and motility, and reduction in semen density, as well
as increased percentage of pathological spermatozoa. Materials and Methods: The lead-induced reproductive
toxicity study was carried out in healthy adult male Wister albino rats. Rat doses of ELLAGIC acid (EA) were
selected as 50 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg through oral route. After acclimatization, animals were divided into four
random groups of eight animals in each; received normal saline, lead acetate, and EA high and low doses along with
lead acetate, respectively, for 70 days. Serum was separated by centrifugation for the estimation of testosterone
level by ELISA. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed; testis was weighed and used for the epididymal sperm
count, motility, and viability and then for preparation of homogenate to estimate antioxidants such as super oxide
dismutase, catalase, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Remaining testis was embedded in formaline
in saline solution (10%) for histological examination. Results, Discussion, and Conclusion: Observed results
suggested dose dependent beneficial effects for EA against lead acetate induced male reproductive toxicity and
it was concluded that EA exhibited dose‑dependent protection against lead-induced male reproductive toxicity.