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Background: Male reproductive toxicity has been linked to cyclosporine, a commonly used immunosuppressive drug for the prevention of organ rejection in patients undergoing renal transplant. The goal of this study was to elucidate how lutein protects male testicles from cyclosporine-induced damage. Methods: Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly allotted to five groups, each with six animals. Rats in groups 1 and 2 were given saline (2 mL/kg/day p.o) and corn oil (2 mL/day p.o) respectively. Rats in groups 3 and 4 were given lutein (40 mg/kg/day p.o) and cyclosporine (40 mg/kg/p.o./day), while rats in group 5 were given a combination of cyclosporine (40 mg/kg/day p.o) and lutein (40 mg/kg/day p.o). At the end of the fourth week, sperm indices, serum hormones, testicular steroidogenic enzymes [3 and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3?-HSD and 17?-HSD)] and enzyme markers of spermatogenesis [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-X), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), gamma glutamyl transferase (?-GT), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)] were assayed. The testis of each rat was also investigated for histopathological abnormalities and germ cell count.  Results: Lutein attenuated cyclosporine-induced sperm impairment. In rats treated with cyclosporine, lutein reduced LDH-X, SDH, ACP, ?-GT; raised LH, FSH, testosterone, 3ß-HSD, 17ß-HSD, ALP levels, and improved spermatogenesis. Conclusion: These results suggest that lutein attenuates cyclosporine-induced testicular impairment through modulation of androgenic hormones and enzymes.

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