This study was conducted on 28 male Wistar albino rats to determine the effects of chrysin on methotrexate‐induced damage to testicular tissue. Rats were grouped into four groups of seven rats reach: Group 1 (n = 7) was the control group to which no drugs were administered; this group was only provided with food and water. Group 2 (n = 7) was administered 20 mg/kg of methotrexate once intraperitoneally. Group 3 (n = 7) was administered 50 mg/kg of chrysin for 7 days orally. Group 4 (n = 7) was administered 20 mg/kg of methotrexate once intraperitoneally, followed by oral administration of 50 mg/kg of chrysin for 7 days. At the end of the experiment, rats were anaesthetised, rat testes were removed, and spermatozoon was obtained from the cauda epididymis. It was determined that sperm count and motility, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities decreased in the methotrexate group, whereas malondialdehyde, tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β and nuclear kappa factor B expression levels increased. Furthermore, damage to tubulus seminiferus structures and affusion in germ cells was identified. In the methotrexate + chrysin administered group, sperm count improved, biochemical enzyme levels increased, and structural improvements were observed in testicular tubules. These findings demonstrated that chrysin plays a protective role in testicular damage in rats.

In this study, the effect of low‐dose curcumin on sperm parameters, reproductive hormones, lipid profile, biochemical antioxidant parameters and the histopathological structure of the testis in diabetic male rats were evaluated. In the study, 28 male Wistar albino rats weighing 300–370 g and aged 8–10 weeks were used. Four groups of equal numbers have been created. Diabetes mellitus was induced with 45 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) in seven rats. Curcumin was administered to the rats in curcumin and the diabetes + curcumin group by gavage for 15 days at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Then, the rats were sacrificed. Blood samples and testis tissues were obtained, while the rats were under anaesthesia. Glucose, lipid profile, reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, biochemical antioxidant parameters and histopathological examination of the testis were performed. Abnormal sperm ratio, malondialdehyde, glucose, cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels and caspase‐3 expression were increased in diabetic rats, while the sperm motility and intensity and reduced glutathione, catalase and testosterone levels were decreased. When low‐dose curcumin (10 mg/kg) was administered to diabetic rats, we found that curcumin significantly increased sperm motility and density, and decreased abnormal sperm rate according to the diabetic group. Moreover, curcumin significantly suppressed the lipid profile and increased follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels compared to the diabetic group. On testicular damage and decreased reproductive hormones caused by diabetes, curcumin may have a protective effect with indirect effect of glycaemic control by curcumin.

Doxorubicin (DXR) is a chemotherapeutic antibiotic obtained from Streptomyces peucetius var. (Abd El-Gany, Rasha, Bakry, & Shimaa, 2016). It is an effective and wide-spectrum therapeutic, but has toxic effect, especially on tissues with rapid cellular cycles such as those of the ovaries, testes and intestinal mucosa (Kiyomiya, Matsuo, & Kurebe, 2001). Certain hypotheses have been developed related to DXR-induced toxicity, including suggestions that it may cause DNA damage (Denard et al., 2011), oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis

After the rotation of the spermatic cord structures around their own axes, testicular torsion occurs due to the deterioration of blood flow in the testicle (Ramachandra, Palazzi, Holmes, & Marietti, 2015). Although it can be seen at any age, it is mostly seen in childhood and puberty (Barada, Weingarten, & Cromie, 1989). Trauma, excessive exercise and contraction of the cremaster muscle may cause torsion in the testes (Shukla, Kelly, Daly, & Guiney, 1982). The ischaemic condition, which is shaped by the duration of torsion, causes necrosis in germinal cells and can even result in infertility (Gezici, Ozturk, Buyukbayram, Ozturk, & Okur, 2006; Wei, Yan, & Zhou, 2011). To prevent this, the achievement of reperfusion by detorsion (to ensure blood flow to the testis) must be done without delay, as delay can cause permanent damage to occur. However, reperfusion causes some complications, even if it shows a healing effect in ischaemic tissue (Akgür, Kilinc, Tanyel, Büyükpamukcu, & Hicsonmez, 1994). Reactive oxygen radicals introduced into the environment after reperfusion lead to lipid peroxidation in cells. This disrupts the permeability of the membrane and leads to loss of cell viability (Sikka, 2004). Many antioxidant agents, such as melatonin, resveratrol, allopurinol, N-acetylcysteine, caffeic acid and coenzyme Q10, have been used with different success rates to minimise the effects of oxidative stress in testicular torsion (Karaguzel, Kadihasanoglu, & Kutlu, 2014). Chrysin, the main component of the herbal medicine known

Citation of This ArticleBelhan S, Özkaraca M, Kandemir FM, Gülyüz F, Yıldırım S, Ömür AD, Yener Z: Effectiveness of hesperidin on methotrexate-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg, 23 (5): 789-796, 2017789-796, . DOI: 10.9775/kvfd.2017 AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hesperidin on male reproductive system in rats to which methotrexate (MTX) was administered. In the study, 28 male Wistar albino rats at the age of 8 weeks and had 250-300 g of live weight were used. Four experimental groups were formed; Group 1 (n=7): The control group, only feed and water were given. Group 2 (n=7): MTX group, a single dose of 20 mg/ kg of i.p. MTX was administered. Group 3 (n=7): Hesperidin group, 200 mg/kg of hesperidin was administered by gavage for 7 days. Group 4: MTX + hesperidin group (n=7): Following administration of a single dose of 20 mg/kg i.p. MTX , 200 mg/kg of Hesperidin was administered by oral gavage for 7 days. At the end of the experiment, rats were decapitated and biochemical, histopathological and spermatological parameters were examined. It was observed that in the MTX group, sperm motility and density, the enzymes CAT, GPx and SOD and GSH level decreased, TNF-alpha and IL-1 Beta, as well as MDA, levels were increased, regular structure of spermatogenic cells was impaired, and seminiferous tubules became necrotic and degenerative. It was determined that spermatological parameters improved and, necrotic and degenerative changes diminished by the administration of MTX+hesperidin. These outcomes indicated that hesperidin had a protective effect on destructive effects of MTX in rat testiclesv. Keywords: Male rat, Hesperidin, Methotrexate, Sperm, Reproductive system Ratlarda Metoraksat Kaynaklı Testiküler Toksisite Üzerine Hesperidinin Etkisi ÖzetBu çalışmanın amacı, metoraksat (MTX) uygulanan ratlarda hesperidinin erkek üreme sistemi üzerindeki etkisini araştırmaktı. Çalışmada 8 haftalık yaşta, 250-300 g canlı ağırlığa sahip 28 erkek Wistar albino cinsi rat kullanıldı. Dört deney grubu oluşturuldu; Grup 1 (n=7): kontrol grubu, sadece yem ve su verildi. Grup 2 (n=7): MTX grubu, 20 mg/kg MTX i.p. tek doz uygulandı. Grup 3 (n=7): Hesperidin grubu, 200 mg/kg hesperidin 7 gün süre ile ağızdan sonda yardımıyla verildi. Grup 4 (n=7): MTX + hesperidin grubu, 20 mg/kg MTX i.p tek doz uygulamasını takiben 200 mg/kg hesperidin 7 gün süre ile ağızdan sonda yardımıyla verildi. Deney sonunda ratlar dekapite edilerek biyokimyasal, histopatolojik ve spermatolojik parametreler incelendi. MTX grubunda sperm motilitesi ve yoğunluğunun, CAT, GPx ve SOD enzimlerinin ve GSH düzeyinin düştüğü, TNF-alpha ve IL-1 Beta ile MDA düzeyinin arttığı, spermatojenik hücrelerin düzenli yapısının bozulduğu, seminifer tubullerin nekrotik ve dejeneratif bir hal aldığı gözlendi. MTX + hesperidin uygulaması ile spermatolojik parametrelerin düzeldiği, nekrotik ve dejeneratif değişikliklerin azaldığı tespit edildi. Bu sonuçlar hesperidinin rat testislerinde MTX tarafından oluşan yıkıcı etkiler üze...