Efficacy of Green Tea Extract in Tributyltin Induced Toxicity on the Testes of Adult Albino Rats

Abstract

Male infertility is one of the challenging problems encountered by human society worldwide. Several reports suggest a likely association between deteriorating reproductive male health and exposure to endocrine disruptors (ED). Tributyltin (TBT), a well-known ED, is an organotin compound that is highly toxic and widely used in industry, agriculture, and antifouling paints. This study aimed to assess the toxic impact of tributyltin on the testes of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of green tea extract. Forty-two adult male albino rats were divided into five groups; Group I (control group), Group II (green tea treated group) each rat received green tea extract (150 mg/kg body weight) dissolved in 1 ml distilled water orally for 8 weeks, Group III (TBT treated group) each rat received the 1/20 of LD50 of tributyltin chloride (5 mg/kg/day) dissolved in1/2 ml corn oil orally for 8 weeks; Group IV (TBTand green tea group) each rat received green tea extract in the previous dose then tributyltin chloride in the same dose orally for 8 weeks; Group V (Follow up group) each rat received tributyltin chloride in the same dose for 8 weeks, then tributyltin chloride was stopped and rats were examined four weeks after its discontinuation. At the end of the study, animals were subjected to biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical, and seminal examination. The results revealed a statistically significant decrease in testosterone, FSH, LH, and serum glutathione peroxidase levels and a significant increase in serum Malondialdehyde in the TBT group when compared with the control group. Rats treated with tributyltin showed severe histopathological changes and decreased cell proliferation in the testes. Seminal analysis of the TBT group showed a significant affection of all parameters when compared to other groups. The follow-up group still showed the persistence of all changes. Green tea was found to ameliorate all of these hazardous effects nearly to the control values. In Conclusion, TBT induces oxidative stress and hormonal disturbance, leading to testicular degeneration. Green tea extract has a beneficial role in ameliorating TBT induced reproductive toxicity.