Iranian Veterinary Journal

Iranian Veterinary Journal

Protective effect of ellagic acid on epididymal sperm profile changes and testicular tissue apoptosis in male rats receiving nicotine

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Kaveh Khazaeel 1
Abbas Sadeghi 2
Haifa Ali Hussein 3
Javad Jamshidian 4
1 Associate Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran and Stem Cells and Transgenic Technology Research Center (STTRC), Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
2 PhD Graduate in Comparative Anatomy and Embryology, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
3 Lecturer, Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
10.22055/ivj.2025.545068.2841
Abstract
    Nicotine (NC) is the major alkaloid in tobacco and has been strongly associated with male reproductive toxicity, mainly through mechanisms related to oxidative stress and apoptosis. Ellagic acid (EA), a naturally occurring polyphenol with well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been reported to counteract oxidative tissue damage in various experimental models. The present study investigated the protective effects of EA against NC-induced reproductive impairment in adult male Wistar rats. To do this, a total of twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6), including control group, EA group (60 mg/kg, orally), NC group (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), and NC combined with EA group. Following 30 days of treatment, the animals were euthanized, and testicular tissues were examined for gonadosomatic index (GSI), sperm quality parameters (count, motility, viability, and morphology), and expression levels of key apoptotic genes (Bcl-2, caspase-3, p53, and BAX). The administration of NC significantly reduced GSI, sperm count, motility, viability, and normal sperm morphology compared to the control group. Also, NC significantly increased the expression of p-53, caspase-3, and BAX genes and decreased Bcl-2 gene expression. Co-treatment with EA and NC significantly attenuated these adverse effects and improved reproductive parameters and apoptotic gene expression. In conclusion, these findings suggest that EA mitigates NC-induced reproductive toxicity in rats by reducing apoptosis, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for NC-related reproductive disorders.
Keywords
Nicotine
Ellagic acid
Reproductive toxicity
Apoptosis
Testis

Subjects

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