Wheat Germ Oil Restores Testicular Function Through Modulation of Oxidative Stress in Male Adult Rats Exposed to Chromium VI

Abstract

This research was outlined to assess the protective and therapeutic role of wheat germ oil against chromium VI -induced oxidative stress and testicular dysfunction in male adult rats through evaluation of semen picture, measuring the sex hormone levels, oxidative stress markers, DNA fragmentation percentage and histopathological changes in the testes. Twenty-eight adult Wister male rats were assigned into four equal groups: Group 1; Control, group 2; Cr VI, group 3; Cr VI + WGO, and group 4; WGO. WGO showed a significant increment in the RBC, Hb, Ht, WBC and Plts. WGO restored the levels of testicular antioxidant enzymes, NO, MDA as well as GSH. Also, WGO in-combination with Cr VI showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of testosterone, LH, GnRH hormones and 17β-HSD enzyme, while, FSH was decreased. Data showed that treatment of male rats with WGO and Cr VI caused an increase in sperm count, motility, and decrease in sperm abnormality. Combination of WGO with Cr VI revealed a decrease in the levels of TL, TC, TG and LDL–C, while, HDL–C was increased. Rats administrated with WGO in-combination with Cr VI exhibited a slight improvement in testicular DNA integration compared to Cr VI-treated group. Further, co-administration of WGO + Cr VI revealed a slight improvement in the pathological alterations; the cellular layers of the seminiferous tubules more or less near to the normal structure. It was concluded that wheat germ oil can be an effective antioxidant in modulating Cr VI-induced male infertility, and may lead to improve the male reproductive performance.