Cocos nucifera L. oil alleviates lead acetate-induced reproductive toxicity in sexually-matured male Wistar rats

Abstract

Objectives Lead primarily affects male reproductive functions via hormonal imbalance and morphological damage to the testicular tissue with significant alteration in sperm profile and oxidative markers. Though, different studies have reported that Cocos nucifera L. oil has a wide range of biological effects, this study aimed at investigating the effect of Cocos nucifera L. oil on lead acetate-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. Methods Twenty (20) sexually matured male Wistar rats (55–65 days) were randomly distributed into four groups (n=5). Group I (negative control)—distilled water orally for 56 days, Group II (positive control)—5 mg/kg bwt lead acetate intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 14 days, Group III—6.7 mL/kg bwt Cocos nucifera L. oil orally for 56 days and Group IV—lead acetate intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 14 days and Cocos nucifera L. oil for orally for 56 days. Rats were sacrificed by diethyl ether, after which the serum, testis and epididymis were collected and used for semen analysis, biochemical and histological analysis. Results The lead acetate significantly increases (p<0.05) testicular and epididymal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, while a significant reduction (p<0.05) in sperm parameters, organ weight, testosterone and luteinizing hormone was observed when compared with the negative control. The coadministration of Cocos nucifera oil with lead acetate significantly increases (p<0.05) testosterone, luteinizing hormone, sperm parameters and organ weight, with a significant decrease (p<0.05) in MDA levels compared with positive control. Histological analysis showed that lead acetate distorts testicular cytoarchitecture and germ cell integrity while this was normalized in the cotreated group. Conclusions Cocos nucifera oil attenuates the deleterious effects of lead acetate in male Wistar rats, which could be attributed to its polyphenol content and antioxidant properties.

Improvement of Lead Acetate-Induced Testicular Oxidative Damage by Vitis Vinifera (Linn.) Seed Extract In Adult Wistar Rats

“…In the current study, LA-cessation rats (Group II(a)) showed reductions in SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH activities and elevations in MDA concentration in tissue homogenates when compared with the untreated control rats. The present results agree with previous observations explaining that long-term exposure to lead causes oxidative damage by increasing lipid peroxidation (elevated MDA levels), inhibiting SOD, CAT, and GPX activity, and lowering GSH levels in the testes [10,34,5,35], reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes are frequently implicated in oxidative stress. Rats exposed to LA were reported to exhibit significantly lower levels of testicular antioxidant enzymes.…”

“…Lead acetate is a bio-toxic industrial and environmental toxin found in almost all tissues in the body, including the liver, lungs, bones, kidneys, reproductive systems, and immune system [4]. Lead exposure has recently been identified as a significant cause of testicular dysfunction and male infertility [5]. The increased content of MDA is evidence of tissue damage produced by increased free radicals in lead poisoning mechanisms [6].…”

The Palliative and Antioxidant Effects of Hesperidin against Lead-Acetate-Induced Testicular Injury in Male Wistar Rats

“…In the present study, exposure to PbAc resulted in a highly significant decrease in sperm count, motility, and viability compared to all the other investigated experimental groups, as well as a highly significant increase in sperm morphological abnormalities. Similar impaired semen parameters were previously reported in experimental animals exposed to PbAc [ 85 , 108 , 109 ]. Such an impairment might be attributed to the direct toxic effects of PbAc on sperm cells as well the enhanced production of ROS [ 31 ].…”

Untitled

“…The caudal epididymis was dissected out, several incisions (1 mm) were made in the caudal epididymis, which was suspended in 1ml of Ham's f-10 solution after 3-5 minutes of incubation at 37 o C. The sperm swim up and the concentration and motility were determined by using new improved Neubauer Haemocytometer (Tang et al, 2003;Olaniyan et al, 2021b).…”