This study evaluated the effects of kolaviron, a biflavonoid from Garcinia kola seed, and quercetin on cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in rats. Adult male rats were administered with either cadmium (15 mg kg(-1)) alone or in combination with kolaviron (200 mg kg(-1)) or quercetin (10 mg kg(-1)) daily for 5 days. Cadmium-treated rats showed (P < 0.05) decrease in the body weight gain, testis and epididymis weights. However, upon co-administration of kolaviron or quercetin, these changes were significantly reversed in cadmium-treated rats. Also, administration of kolaviron or quercetin significantly prevented cadmium-mediated decrease in sperm motility and epididymal sperm concentration and reversed the increased level of sperm abnormality to near control. In testes and sperm, cadmium treatment resulted in significant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, whereas it increased glutathione S-transferase activity as well as hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels. While plasma levels of triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine remained unaffected, the levels of testosterone, luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were decreased in cadmium-treated rats. Cadmium treatment caused mild congestion of interstitial vessels and oedema in the testes. Taken together, kolaviron and quercetin inhibited the adverse effects of cadmium on the antioxidant enzymes, markers of oxidative stress, endocrine and testicular structure in rats.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic endocrine disorder with an increasing burden on the world population (Guariguata et al., 2014).It results due to elevation of blood glucose in the body sequel to impaired insulin secretion or utilisation (Riaz, S. (2015)). This event causes an increased threshold of mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that culminate in excessive apoptosis (Rashid & Sil, 2015). The process takes place by increased advanced glycated end products, protein kinase C, polyol pathway flux and hexosamine flux (Safi et al., 2014). Studies have shown that these processes result in complications linked to nephropathy, cardiomyopathy, spermatogenesis dysfunction, sexual hormonal imbalance, among others (Ballester et al., 2004;Tavares et al., 2018). In dysfunctional spermatogenesis, sperm behaviour and penile erection are affected, thereby impairing the reproductive system (Rashid & Sil, 2015;Shokoohi et al., 2018). Dysfunctional spermatogenesis occurs due to the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid on the sperm cells, impacting fertility (Rashid & Sil, 2015). Furthermore, it has been shown that elevated blood glucose in diabetes impairs mitochondrial function and could ultimately result in testicular death by activation of the apoptotic pathway (

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