Regulatory effects of quercetin on testicular histopathology induced by cyanide in Wistar rats

Abstract

Several causes of infertility have been identified, and several papers have documented some compounds that cause infertility. One of the compounds reported to be toxic to the reproductive system is cyanide. In the management of infertility, various mechanisms ranging from synthetic drugs, natural products and supplements have been employed. Quercetin is an antioxidant supplement that has been used in the treatment of a variety of ailments. This work is aimed at investigating the role of quercetin in attenuating spermato-toxicity and testicular-histopathology induced by cyanide. Seventy-two (72) male wistar rat (weight 190 g ± 10 g) were divided into nine groups (n = 8) except for groups 4 and 5 with (n = 16). Group 1 (control) received physiological saline while Groups 2 and 3 received 0.5 and 1 mg/kg body weight (bwt) cyanide respectively for 56 days, groups 4 and 5 received 0.5 and 1 mg/kg bwt cyanide respectively for 30 days. At day 30, eight animals were sacrificed from Groups 4 and 5 and the remaining eight (8) rats were subdivided into groups (6 and 7) and were given 20 and 40 mg/kg bwt of quercetin respectively for twenty-six days. Co-administration of cyanide and quercetin at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg cyanide +20 mg/kg quercetin and 1 mg/kg cyanide +40 mg/kg quercetin were given to group 8 and 9 respectively for 56 days. Significant decreases in sperm parameters (count, motile and normal sperm) and increases in malondiadehyde concentration were observed in the cyanide treated groups. Testicular histoarchitecture showed few to no spermatozoa in the lumen of rats treated with cyanide. All these effects were attenuated by quercetin. In conclusion, quercetin regulates testicular histopathology induced by cyanide in Wistar rats. Data from this work suggests potential preventive or therapeutic applications of quercetin for individuals subjected to cyanide environmental pollution.

Quercetin Abates Aluminum Trioxide Nanoparticles and Lead Acetate Induced Altered Sperm Quality, Testicular Oxidative Damage, and Sexual Hormones Disruption in Male Rats

“…The QTN dose (20 mg/kg b.wt.) has been reported to be efficient in mitigating male reproductive toxicity from exposure to various environmental pollutants and drugs [ 72 , 73 , 74 ].…”

Effects of Quercetin on Codeine-Induced Reproductive Hormone Disorder

“…Quercetin improves sperm quality, reduces the adverse effects of oxidative stress, and controls abnormal cyanideinduced changes in testicular tissue. Therefore, quercetin can protect against oxidative damage and improve testicular function in various conditions (70).…”

Combined Effects of Cadmium- and Cyanide-Contaminated Diet on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Different Tissues of Rats

“…Cd prompts ROS production which leads to a decrease in the activity of antioxidative enzymes, which initiates oxidative damage to the testes. Additionally, CN exposure has been reported to initiate anomalies in the testicular structure along with alteration of the seminiferous tubules attributable to the reduction in the number of germ cells [36].…”