Assessment of the protective effect of vitamin E on the quality of spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in rats exposed to lead

Abstract

<strong>Background and aims:</strong> Vitamins are a rich source of antioxidants that can neutralize the harmful effects of lead on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of vitamin E on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in lead-exposed rats. <br /><br /><strong>Methods:</strong> This is an experimental study on 45 male Wistar that were allocated to <br />5 groups: distilled water gavage, intraperitoneal distilled water, vitamin E, lead, and lead+ vitamin E. All the rats were exposed to lead for 30 days. Then, the rats were sacrificed and sperm count, motility and morphology of sperm chromatin, and epididymitis and testis weight were investigated. <br /><br /><strong>Results:</strong> The findings showed significant differences in weight gain, epididymitis weight, sperm death, the highest mobility of sperm among the groups (P>0.05). Vitamin E and control (gavage) rats experienced more weight than other groups. There was a significant difference in the highest mobility of sperm between peritoneal control group and other groups (P<0.001), and in lower than 50% mobility between lead group and other groups (P>0.05). There was a significant difference in sperm death between lead group, and the control groups and vitamin E group (P>0.05) with the least sperm death. Vitamin E group had a significantly lower sperm death than other groups. There was no significant difference in the testis weight, normal morphology, and normal DNA among the groups (P<0.05). Vitamin E had noticeable effects on gaining weight, epididymitis weight, and survived sperm, and a noticeable reducing effect on lead's harmful side effects on the sperm. <br /><br /><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The results indicate the protective effects of vitamin E on spermatogenesis quality and some sperm parameters in rats exposed to lead.