Comparison of Lemon Balm Extract and Vitamin E on Parameters of Fertility in Male Rates Exposed to Lead.

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Herbs and vitamins are good sources of antioxidant and have great potential in neutralizing the harmful effects of lead on the sperm parameters and spermatogenesis quality. Aim: The aim of present study is to compare the efficacy of extract of Melissa officinalis and vitamin E on fertility indexes of adult rat exposed to lead. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 72 male Wistar rats weighing 180±20 gr. Rats were randomly divided into 8 groups (9 in each group): distilled water gavage (control), distilled water intraperitoneal injection (intraperitoneal control), Melissa officinalis, lead + Melissa officinalis, vitamin E, lead + vitamin E, and lead + Melissa officinalis + vitamin E. Rats were treated for 30 days, then killed and sperm analysis (motion, morphology and chromatin assay) and testis and epididymis weighting were conducted. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software by Kruskal –Wallis, Wilcoxon, and Mann –Whitney U, and Chi Square tests. Results: Finding of the study showed that weight gain of rats epididymis weight, and sperm vitality and mortality had statistically significant difference among study groups (p<0.05) and weight gain of rats in vitamin E and control gavage groups was more than other groups. The minimum weight of the epididymis was more than other groups. The minimum weight of the epididymis was found in lead + vitamin E group, and the most sperm mortality was observed in intraperitoneal control group with significant difference with other groups. The vitality was seen in lead group which had significant difference with other groups, expect lead + vitamin E group. Testis weight, percentage of normal morphology and normal DNA percentage in study groups showed no significant difference (p>0.05). In histological study, Percent of mature seminiferous tubules, quality and maturation of spermatogenesis in the study groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). So, the most percentage of normality appearance of testis, seminiferous tubules and Interstitial tissue had not significant difference among groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Evidence suggest significant effects of vitamin E and Melissa on weight gain of rats and epididymis, and decrease percentage of vitality compared to the control group. Also evidence shows positive effects of Melissa and vitamin E on Mature seminiferous tubules and quality and quantity of maturity spermatogenesis in comparison to lead group.