Protective Effects of Curcumin on Sperm and Stereological Parameters in Testes of Formaldehyde-Exposed NMRI Mice: An Experimental Study

Background and Aims: Formaldehyde (FA) exposure is an important cause of cellular injury and oxidative damage in testis, leading to infertility. This study aimed to assess the protective effects of curcumin on sperm and stereological parameters in testes from formaldehyde-exposed NMRI mice. Materials and Methods: At ۶-۸ weeks of age, ۲۴ adult male NMRI mice weighing ۳۰-۳۵ g were categorized into four groups (n=۶) based on the treatment they received: Group І (control) received no treatment, group ΙΙ received FA (۱۰ mg/kg), group ΙΙΙ received FA (۱۰ mg/kg) and curcumin (۱۰۰ mg/kg), and group IV (Solvent) received dimethyl sulfoxide (۰.۲ ml/day). Materials were administered intraperitoneally for ۳۵ days. After excision, epididymis tissues were placed in ۱ mL aliquots of Ham’s F۱۰ medium at ۳۷˚C for ۲۰ min and were then used in analyses of sperm parameters. Testes were fixed and stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin to investigate stereological indices. We also determined lipid peroxidation levels using malondialdehyde assays. Results: Mean sperm parameters (count, motility, viability, and morphology) differed significantly between groups ΙΙ and ΙΙΙ (p≤۰.۰۰۱). Stereological indices, including Leydig and spermatogonia cell numbers and surface-to-volume ratios of seminiferous tubules were significantly higher in group ΙΙΙ than in group ΙΙ (p≤۰.۰۰۱) . Finally, malondialdehyde levels in group III were significantly lower than in group II (p=۰.۰۰۱). Conclusions: The data showed that the curcumin, as an antioxidant, reduced FA-induced damage in sperm parameters and stereological indices in mice testes.

Keywords:

Curcumin , Formaldehyde , Mice , Testis , فرمالدهید , کورکومین , موش سوری , بیضه