Melatonin and garlic cytoprotective-ameliorative effects on dibutyl phthalate intoxication on sperm DNA and testicular biomakers of rabbits

Abstract

The study investigated the cytoprotective and ameliorative effects of melatonin and Allium sativum (garlic) on dibutyl phthalate (DBP)-induced oxidative stress, its impact on sperm DNA integrity and testicular oxidative stress biomarkers. Forty two rabbit bucks were randomly divided into 7 groups of 6 bucks each labeled as A, B, C, D, E, F and G: The treatment were as follows: A (served as negative control, received olive oil for 16 weeks); B (served as positive control, exposed to DBP for 16 weeks, no treatment); C (given melatonin for 8 weeks, thereafter DBP for 8 weeks); D (administered garlic for 8 weeks, thereafter DBP for 8 weeks); E (exposed to DBP for 8 weeks, thereafter melatonin for 8 week); F (exposed to DBP for 8 weeks, thereafter garlic for 8 weeks); and G (exposed to DBP for 8 weeks, thereafter melatonin + garlic for 8 weeks). Ejaculated semen was collected on the last day (112th) using artificialv vagina for rabbit and pooled for each group was used for sperm DNA fragmentation index (SDFI) determination, rabbits were sacrificed and the testes harvested for determination of superoxide dismutase activity, reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde concentration. Results showed a significant increase (P = 0.0018) in the mean SDFI in group B (78.20 ± 4.72), compared to other groups. A significant increase (P ≤ 0.0001) in superoxide dismutase activity, increase reduced glutathione concentration and decrease malondialdehyde concentrations in the treatment groups compared to the DBP exposed group without treatment (group B) were observed. Melatonin and garlic demonstrated cytoprotective and ameliorative effects against DBP-induced oxidative stress in rabbit bucks.

Keywords: Dibutyl phthalate, Garlic, Melatonin, Sperm DNA, Testicular biomarkers