Protective Effects of Olive Leaf Hydroalcoholic Extract on Sperm Parameters and Chromatin Quality in NMRI Mice Exposed to the Insecticide Mancozeb: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Improper use of chemical pesticides such as Mancozeb (MZB) leads to genital injuries. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different doses of olive leaf extract (OLE) on reproductive damage in male mice exposed to MZB. Materials and Methods:In this experimental study, 64 adult male NMRI mice (10 to 12 weeks) were randomly divided into 8 groups (n=8) including control (Normal saline recipient), Mancozeb (MZB) recipient (500 mg/kg), MZB (500 mg/kg) + (200, 300 and 400 mg of OLE) and OLE group at doses of (200, 300 and 400 mg) and were treated by gavage every other day for 35 days. Then, the mice were killed by cervical dislocation; heart blood samples were drawn to measure serum testosterone level and epididymis removed to examine sperm. Different indicators of sperm analysis (number, motility and morphology), protamine and chromatin health were examined.Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparisons test. Results:The lowest protamine levels (p=0.001) and the lowest alive sperms (p=0.005) were seen in the MZB group.There was a significant decrease in head abnormalities (p=0.003) and immobile sperm (p< 0.001) in OLE groups. At a dose of 200 mg/kg OLE, the highest chromatin health (p<0.001), the highest rapid sperm motility (p=0.037) and the highest testosterone level (p=0.001) were observed. Conclusion:The highest efficacy of OLE was seen at a dose of 200 mg/kg; therefore, consumption of this extract in the same dose can probably be considered as a supportive compound in the diet of high-risk people exposed to MZB.