Effect of lithospermate B on spermatogenesis in aroclor 1254 exposed C57BL6 mice

Abstract

Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are known to induce oxidative stress in the reproductive organs and some antioxidants showed protective effects. Lithospermate B (LAB) showed antioxidant effects in some previous studies. We tested whether LAB can exhibit a similar protective effect on testicular injury induced by PCB.Methods: Adult C57BL6 mice were divided into three groups. First group received corn oil and normal saline as vehicle for 30 days. Second group received Aroclor 1254 at a dose of 2 mg/kg per day and normal saline for 30 days. Third group received Aroclor 1254 at a dose of 2 mg/kg per day and LAB at a dose of 20 mg/kg per day for 30 days. 24 hours after last treatment, testes and epididymides were removed. Sperms were collected from the epididymis and its count was calculated. After homogenized testis, activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR) and levels of ROS (H2O2) were estimated.Results: Although there were no statistically significant differences, the result of this experiment shows that PCB decreases sperm density, activities of antioxidant enzymes and increases levels of ROS. Supplementation of LAB seemed to restore these parameters.Conclusion: In conclusion, LAB has protective effect by enhancing of antioxidant enzyme activities against testicular injury induced by PCB.