Recovery effects of pomegranate seed powder on the testes following cadmium poisoning in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica); a stereological and lipid peroxidation study

    This study aimed to investigate the effects of pomegranate seed powder on cadmium-poisoned testicular tissue in Japanese quail. A total of ۲۷۰ day-old Japanese quail chicks were assigned to six treatment groups, control group, cadmium ۵۰ ppm (group II), pomegranate seed powder (۱ and ۰.۵ %; groups III and IV, respectively), pomegranate seed powder ۱% + Cd ۵۰ ppm (group V), pomegranate seed powder ۰.۵% + Cd ۵۰ ppm (group VI). Stereological parameters in testes and TBARS, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were determined. Testicular components showed a significant reduction in area surface and volume density in the cadmium-exposed groups compared with controls (p < ۰.۰۵). It was found that in the cadmium induction group, TBARS, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly higher compared to the normal level (p < ۰.۰۵). The results showed that pomegranate seed powder could increase the area surface and volume density of testicular germinal ingredients and decrease the content of TBARS, cholesterol, and triglyceride (p > ۰.۰۵) in cadmium poisoning testis. These results show that cadmium has destructive effects and pomegranate seed powder has prevented the development of these effects on stereological and lipid parameters.

Keywords:

Japanese quail , Pomegranate seed powder , Stereology , TBARS , histology