Evaluation of quercetin on testicular function of male Wistar rats treated with butylparaben

Abstract

Background: Parabens are widely used as preservatives in many foods, cosmetics, toiletries and pharmaceuticals. Quercetin is a pigment found in many plants, fruits, and vegetables which helps fighting free radicals, reducing inflammation among others.
Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the effect of quercetin on testicular function of male Wistar rats treated with butylparaben.
Methodology: Thirty Wistar rats divided into 6 groups of five (5) rats were fed rat diet with water ad libitum with corn oil to serve as control while groups B, C, D, E and F received 100mg/kg of butylparaben (BP), 100mg/kg of BP and 25mg/kg of quercetin (Q), 100mg/kg of BP and 50mg/kg of Q, 100mg/kg of BP and 100mg/kg of Q, 100mg/kg of BP and 200mg/kg of Q respectively all dissolved in corn oil. The rats were administered the mixture for 60days, 3 times in a week. The rats were sedated using chloroform and blood collected for testosterone estimation using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, the epididymis was also harvested and the semen extracted and used for semen analysis.
Results: The result of the experiment showed that mean motility (%) was 75.60±5.18, 66.60±7.60, 66.80±9.23, 74.50±6.40, 79.33±1.15 and 79.00±1.15 37 at concentrations (mg/kg body weight) 0.00, 100BP, 100BP+ 25Q, 100BP + 50Q, 100BP + 100Q and 100BP + 200Q respectively while mean abnormal sperm morphology (%) was 25.00±3.53, 28.00±5.70, 24.00±6.52, 24.50±5.26, 19.33±1.15 and  17.50±5.00 at respective concentrations. Mean viability (%) was 84.60±4.56, 63.00±6.71, 79.60±6.39, 78.25±7.68, 78.33±2.89, 84.50±5.26 while sperm count (10⁶/ml) 560.00±96.17, 324.00±132.78, 346.00±148.59, 437.50±125.00, 316.67±57.74 and 507.50±65.00 and testosterone concentration (ng/ml) was 2.18±1.16, 0.44±0.42, 0.70±0.9, 1.04±0.75, 1.72±0.36, 1.37±0.37 at the following concentrations in mg/kg body weight 0.00, 100BP, 100BP+ 25Q, 100BP + 50Q, 100BP + 100Q, 100BP + 200Q respectively.
Conclusion: The result of the study has shown that quercetin caused reversal of reproductive parameters induced by butylparaben.