Investigating the Protective Effects of Pomegranate Seed Oil on Sperm Parameters and Spermatogenesis Quality in Rats Exposed to Lead

Abstract

Objective: Fruits are rich source of antioxidant with significant potentials inneutralizing adverse impacts of lead on sperm parameters. The present study aimed to determine the effects of pomegranate seed oil on sperm parameters and spermatogenesis qualityin adult rats exposed to lead Methods: This was an experimental study conducted on male Wistar rats(n=45) weighing180 +/- 20gr. The animals were randomly divided into 5groups (n=9): distilled water gavage(control); intraperitoneal distilled water; pomegranate seed oil; lead; and lead plus pomegranate seed oil. The animals received 30day treatment and then were sacrificed for the sperm parameters assessments. Sperm count, motility and morphology assessment, chromatins, epididymis and testis weights were performed. The collected data were analyzed byKruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Chi-square using SPSS (version13) software. Statistical significance was set asP < 0.05. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences on weight gain, epididymis weight, sperm inviability rate, and high sperm motility between the groups(P < 0.05). The control and PSO groups showed the highest weight gain, whereas the LPSO group showed the lowest values. The L group showed the lowest epididy misweight. The L group showed the lowest sperm motility, whereas the IP control and PSO groups showed the highest values. Testicular weights and normal morphologic and DNA percentages showed no statistical significant differences among the study groups (P > 0.05). discussion: PSO has positive effects on weight gain, epididymis weight, and viable sperm percentage in rats and reducing the lead induced toxic effects on sperm viability. Conclusion: PSO has positive effect on spermatogenesis and Sperm Parameters.