Does Vitamin E Protect the Male Reproductive System Against the Noise-Induced Stress?

Abstract

Objective: To investigate how Tocopherols shield testis' histomorphology in adult rats subjected to noise stress. Study Design: Laboratory based-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: National Institute of Health, Islamabad Pakistan, from Sep 2022 to Sep 2023. Methodology: A total of 90 albino rats, with weights ranging from 250 to 300 grams, were included in the study. Three Groups were created: Group-A, Control, and Group-B, daily noise exposure (100 dB); Group-C was administered with Alpha Tocopherol 40 IU/kg dissolved in 0.5 ml corn oil and subjected to noise (100 dB) daily. The seminiferous tubules' germinal epithelium's diameter and height were measured using Hematoxylin and Eosin and Periodic Acid Schiff staining. Results: The study compared gross, microscopic, and biochemical parameters between the Experimental and Control Groups. Group A exhibited an average testicular volume of 1.82±0.05 gms, a mean tubular diameter of 253.72±4.46 µm, and a germinal epithelial height of 56.47±2.31 µm. Group-B's testicular volume was 1.13±0.07 gms, accompanied by a decrease in tubular diameter to 182.15±5.05 µm and epithelial height to 36.80±2.79 µm and in comparison to Group-B, Group-C exhibited enhancements in terms of tubular diameter (251.86±2.00 µm, p<0.001) and epithelial height (55.63±2.02 µm, p<0.001), resulting in a reduced testicular volume (1.181±0.03 gms, p<0.001). Conclusion: Noise-induced histomorphological changes in the testis lowered sperm maturation in the germinal cells and significantly reduced testicular volume. Moreover, α-Tocopherol has a protective effect on histomorphological changes caused by noise stress.

Keywords

• Alph-tocopherol
• Antioxidant, Infertility
• Noise Stress
• Testosterone