Studies on the Protection of Arsenic Induced Reproductive Disorders in Adult Male Wistar Rats by Formulated High Protein Diet

Abstract

Arsenic toxicity is a major worldwide health problem and has been associated with several reproductive system disorders. The study was designed to investigate the protective role of casein–pea-enriched protein diet /formulated high protein diet (FHPD) on arsenic-mediated testicular and spermatozoal anomalies in adult Wistar rats. The rats (120±10gm) were randomly divided into three groups: Gr I (control) received the normal diet; the Gr II (treated) was given arsenic orally for 30 consecutive days as arsenic trioxide (3mg/kg/rat/day) where as Gr III (supplemented) was given isocaloric FHPD along with arsenic of same dose. Same animal model was used for the fulfilment of all the objectives. The results revealed significant reduction in weight of testis along with other accessory reproductive organs. Structural and functional alterations of testes, cauda epididymis and caudal spermatozoa were observed. Reduction of steroidogenesis, gonadotrophins and spermatogenesis were also noted. Increased oxidative stress resulted redox imbalance in testes, cauda epididymis and spermatozoa causing successive DNA damages. Apoptosis was initiated in testes as expression of apoptotic markers like Bax, Bcl-2, caspase 9 and caspase 3 were seen to be altered. Spermatozoal apoptosis was also noted by Annexin V-Pi staining. Arsenic deposition was also noted in testicular tissues. All these anomalies were attenuated when FHPD supplementation was given to arsenic-gavaged rats. Casein–pea-enriched protein diet/ FHPD mitigated the adverse effects of arsenic and helped in sustaining the normal reproductive functions.