Excessive exposure to sodium fluoride impaired spermatogenesis, induced hormonal and biochemical imbalance and testicular atrophy: Ameliorating potential of bioactive component of Solanum aethiopicum supplementation

Abstract

Background: Sodium fluoride (NaF) causes testicular toxicity via an oxidative stress mechanism. Solanum aethiopicum (SAE) contains abundant antioxidant and androgenic properties. This study investigated the ameliorating potential of SAE extract against NaF-induced testicular damage in rats. Methods: Forty-eight (48) adult male Sprague Dawley rats (130–180 g, 7–9 weeks old) were randomized into six groups of eight rats (n = 8) each. A: Control received only deionized water, B: 20 mg/kg body weight (bw) NaF. C: 500 mg/kg bw SAE. D: 20 mg/kg bw NaF + 500 mg/kg bw SAE. E: 20 mg/Kg bw NaF + 30 mg/kg bw vitamin C (Vit. C). F: 20 mg/kg bw NaF + 500 mg/kg bw SAE + 30 mg/kg bw Vit. C orally for 8 weeks. Testicular histology, histomorphometry parameters, sperm parameters, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde (MDA) and inflammation markers were analyzed. Results: Sodium fluoride significantly decrease sperm quality, hormones, antioxidants concentrations, and general body weights and significantly increased MDA, and cause disorientation of seminiferous tubules with a nearly empty lumen and vascular hemorrhage but was attenuated with SAE and Vit. C. Conclusion: Solanum aethiopicum possesses pro-fertility properties capable of ameliorating oxidative stress-induced testicular damage with the profound significance that comes with Vit. C combination.

Keywords

• Infertility
• Solanum aethiopicum
• Oxidative stress
• Antioxidants
• Sodium fluoride
• Sperm cells