Toxicity Effect of Aflatoxin B1 on Reproductive System of Albino Male Rats

Abstract

A B S T R A C TAspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are two important molds that produce Aflatoxin(AF). Humans and animals can be exposed to aflatoxins by consuming foods contaminated with the products of these fungi. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most common mycotoxins found in human foods. In general, acute toxicity by is AFB1 less likely to occur than chronic toxicity. The principal target organ for aflatoxins is liver which may lead to hepatocytes and necrosis and also can be carcinogenic and cause immunosuppression. AFB1 could be toxic to the male reproductive system in man as well as wild and domestic animals. According to this study the AFB1 effect on testis and sperm of male rats which revealed pathological changes in testis and epididymis, with the high dosage of AFB1 the edematous fluid inside the tumbles increases while there are significant (p>0.05) decreases in the number of leydig cells, the height of seminiferous, as well as there was a significant decreasing in the number of spermatogenesis, spermatocytes and spermatids.

Camel milk or silymarin could improve the negative effects that experimentally produced by aflatoxin B1 on rat’s male reproductive system

“…However, because there are so many highly unsaturated fatty acids in the testes, it is known that they are extremely susceptible to oxidative and peroxidative damage [ 53 ]. The findings of the testes pathology at different periods are in agreement with the results of Murad et al [ 54 ] and Zhang et al [ 55 ], who find that rats and mice and pigs, respectively, that consumed aflatoxins for an extended period of time experienced histological changes in their male reproductive organs that led to the dystrophy of spermatogenic epithelial cells. Aflatoxin exposure has also been linked to abnormalities in meiotic chromosomes, sperm morphology, and testis histology [ 56 ].…”

Effect of Grape Seeds Extract on Attenuation of Aflatoxins Toxicity in Rats

“…The severity of degenerative changes induced by AFs in testes was dose-dependent. Such finding was in agreement with Murad et al 54 who recorded dose-dependent pathological changes in testis and epididymis of rats treated orally with different doses of AFB1 manifested by edematous fluid, decrease of number of leydig cells, disruption of spermatogenesis and decrease number of spermatocytes and spermatids. Cao et al 55 reported testicular toxicity in AFB1-exposed mice.…”

Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Aflatoxin B1: A Review

“…Exposure to AFB1 can result in several reproductive alterations, especially in males, with impacts on reproductive behavior, sperm production, and testicular and epididymal morphology. However, the most significant finding involves serum hormone levels, marked by a decrease in testosterone [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]. When exposure occurs in the prenatal period, the effects seem to be even more remarkable.…”