Background
Heavy metals are well documented to induce reproductive toxicity. This study was designed to investigate the role of vitamin E and quercetin on reproductive toxicity mediated by lead acetate in male Wistar rats. Thirty male adult Wistar rats were grouped into six (n = 5 per group) as follows: Group 1 (Control); Group 2 and 3 were administered with 100 mg/kg vitamin E and quercetin, respectively; Group 4 was administered with 30 mg/kg lead acetate; Groups 5 and 6 received lead acetate with vitamin E and lead acetate with quercetin, respectively.
Results
Lead acetate significantly increased (p < 0.05) testicular malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, lead ion and abnormal sperm morphology, while testicular catalase, superoxide dismutase activities, calcium ion, zinc ion, serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, sperm count, motility, average path, curvilinear velocity, and sperm viability were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The co-administration of lead acetate with vitamin E and quercetin significantly reversed (p < 0.05) the testicular level of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, lead ion, abnormal sperm morphology, catalase superoxide dismutase activities, calcium ion, zinc ion, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, sperm count, motility, average path velocity and sperm viability.
Conclusions
Vitamin E and quercetin attenuated the reproductive toxicity induced by lead acetate in the male Wistar rats, and this suggests that vitamin E and quercetin may serve as possible therapeutic agents in improving male reproductive functions in heavy metal toxicity.
