Bee venom ameliorates methyl mercury-induced reproductive impairment in male Sprague Dawley rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Biochemistry department, Faculty of science, Zagazig University

2 Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, Egypt

3 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 44511, Egypt

4 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 44511, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Exposure to organic mercury leads to a range of serious fertility-related complications. Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the restorative potential of bee venom against testicular injury induced by the administration of methyl mercury chloride (MMC) to rats. Materials and methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups as follow; Group I rats were gavaged PBS (NaCl 0.9%), Group II rats were subcutaneously injected with BV (0.5 mg/kg BW), Group III rats were gavaged MMC (6.7 mg/kg BW) and Group rats were coadministered MMC followed by BV with the same doses and routes of groups II and III. Sexual efficiency parameters were estimated in semen. Serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle stimulating (FSH) hormone were measured using ELISA technique. The activities of Sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were determined in testicular tissues. Results: The administration of BV to MMC-intoxicated rats led to a noticed improvement of sperms quality and count compared to control. Moreover, a significant increase of testicular hormones and enzymes was observed in MMC-intoxicated rats received BV compared to control. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that BV has a repairing capacity against MMC-induced testicular damage in male rats.

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