Preventive effects of methylcobalamin on the testicular damage induced by ethylene oxide

Abstract

In this study, the effects of methylcobalamin on testicular damage induced by ethylene oxide (EtO) were studied. When Wistar male rats inhaled EtO at 500 ppm, 6 h a day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks, testicular damage was observed histopathologically and by some other parameters. Subcutaneous injection of methylcobalamin at 500 micrograms/kg, 5 times/week was found to ameliorate the damage. However, the degree of the methylcobalamin effect differed among the parameters examined in this study. Decrease in testicular weight due to EtO exposure was completely prevented by methylcobalamin, and decrease in testicular mature spermatid count and LDH-X activity was fairly well prevented. The degree of prevention of alteration in the epididymis, such as epididymal weight, epididymal sperm count and sperm abnormality rate, was significant but not complete. EtO caused apparent alterations in glutathione metabolism in the testes, but methylcobalamin did not affect such alterations induced by EtO. From these results, it has been determined that methylcobalamin has definite preventive effects on testicular toxicity of EtO.

Vitamin B12 and Semen Quality

“…In addition, oligozoospermic mice orally administered mecobalamin at 1.0 mg/kg/day for 10 weeks had a higher sperm count and more motile sperm, as well as lower sperm abnormalities compared with those of the control [39]. Moreover, methylcobalamin injected subcutaneously at 0.5 mg/kg (5 times per week) protected against ethylene oxide-induced testicular damage in male Wistar rates (higher sperm count, lower sperm abnormalities, and higher epididymis weight) [40]. Furthermore, methylcobalamin (1 mg/kg) protected against X-ray-induced testicular damage in male mice (higher sperm count motility and diameter of seminiferous tubules) [41].…”

Hesperidin attenuates benzo[α] pyrene-induced testicular toxicity in rats via regulation of oxidant/antioxidant balance

“…Daily sperm production was done according to Mori, et al (1991). Briefly, the tunica albuginea was removed from one testis, and the parenchyma was homogenized in 50 ml of saline-Triton-Merthiolate (0.15 M NaCl, 0.05% V/V Triton X-100, and 0.25 M Merthiolate) for 90 s. Elongated spermatid nuclei with spermatid characteristic of steps 17-19 of spermatogenesis were counted (Amann, et al, 1974).…”