Evaluation of sex steroid hormones and reproductive irregularities in diethyl phthalate-exposed premature mice: modulatory effect of raw honey against potential anomalies

Abstract

Phthalates, plasticizing chemicals are top-rated environmental contaminants. Diethyl phthalate (DEP), a chief member of this family was declared a potent endocrine-disruptor and carcinogen in animals and humans. The current study was designed to explore the probable reproductive damage induced by DEP and the therapeutic e cacy of raw honey in male albino mice. Four weeks old 50 male mice, were randomized equally in ve groups, as control (C) received 0.1 ml distilled water; vehicle control (VC) received 0.1 ml corn oil; DEP (3mg/g/BW) dissolved in corn oil; Honey control (HC) administered 0.2 mg/g/day); P + H administered with DEP and honey (3mg and 0.2 mg/g/BW/day respectively). Mice were treated through oral gavage for 54 days routinely, acclimatized for 6 days and dissected. In the rst instance, the antioxidant potential and total phenolic contents of honey were analyzed through Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and Folin-Ciocalteu assay to con rm the antioxidant capacity of honey. The morphological, morphometric, histological, micrometric, sperm count, hormonal analyses, and antioxidant capacity test in tissue homogenates were conducted by using tissues (testis, epididymis) and blood samples of mice. Mice exposed to DEP have a signi cant increase in body weight, LH level, seminiferous tubule lumen diameter and decrease in the gonado-somatic index, testosterone level, sperm count, and seminiferous tubule diameter. Additionally, histopathology of testes showed interstitial spaces dilations, exfoliations, Leydig cells atrophy, germ cell degenerations and spermatid retention in DEP exposed testes sections. However, concomitant use of honey and DEP had shown a signi cant improvement in histopathological lesions, steroid hormone levels, and healthy sperm count. By these results, it is concluded that honey possessed antioxidant potential that can e ciently protect DEPinduced anomalies in male mice.

Nigella sativa-Floral Honey and Multi-Floral Honey versus Nigella sativa Oil against Testicular Degeneration Rat Model: The Possible Protective Mechanisms

“…The NS floral honey and NS oil treated groups rebalance the TT to be near the value of the negative control group. These findings are in line with recent studies by many researchers [ 3 , 12 , 38 ]. Mice given black seed oil had considerably higher serum TT concentrations [ 39 ].…”

“…On the other hand, honey from two sources (M-floral honey and NS floral honey) did not influence sperm quality, and this finding agrees with the work of Dare et al [ 74 ] [2013], who reported reduced motility and an increased percentage of dead and abnormal spermatozoa in honey-treated animals. Contrarily, the concomitant use of honey with toxic diethyl phthalate exposure has shown a significant improvement in healthy sperm count [ 3 ].…”

“…Honey supplementations from two floral sources (M-floral and NS floral) demonstrated the degeneration and necrosis of some spermatogonia cells lining some seminiferous tubules, the formation of spermatid giant cells in the lumen of the seminiferous tubule, and the necrosis of some Leydig cells, whereas few sections had the normal histopathology observed in the NS floral honey group, indicating that the supplementation with NS floral honey was better than that with M-floral honey to mitigate the inflammatory and oxidative effects of AZA on testicular tissue. However, when honey was supplemented with diethyl phthalate, a significant improvement in testicular histopathological lesions was shown [ 3 ]. Meanwhile, NS oil supplementation manifested a normal histological structure of seminiferous tubules, which is in line with [ 77 ].…”

“…Infertility is one of the major problems among young couples, such that the percentage of infertile men ranges from 2.5% to 12% [ 1 ]. The gonad is one of the main target organs for xenobiotics including pollution, drugs, and toxins that might contaminate food, drinking water, and the air or those from the materials used in buildings and industries [ 2 , 3 ]. According to a recent study, exposure to these toxins is linked to public health risks that can alter the endocrine system, disturb hormonal balance, and negatively impact fertility [ 4 ].…”

“…In addition to its nutritional value, it possesses significant health benefits [ 13 ]. It has biologically active compounds such as phenolic acids and flavonoids [ 14 ], antioxidants [ 3 ], and a wide range of biological properties [ 15 ]. Studies have shown that honey revitalizes spermatogenesis in mice exposed to environmental contamination [ 16 ].…”