Abstract
The present study is aimed at elucidating the effect of different doses of Dexamethasone (DEX) on testis and epididymis of male Wistar rats. Thirty-six rats were divided into six groups, each containing six rats: one control (CON), and five groups of rats treated with five (30 μg, 40 μg, 50 μg, 60 μg, 70 μg/100 g body weight) doses of dexamethasone intraperitoneally (i.p.) for twenty-one days. The results revealed a dose-dependent decrease in testes and epididymis weight. DEX-treated rats evidenced significant increase in TBARS levels, this being the highest in 70 μg/100 g body weight (bw) which could be a consequence of the highest level of free radical generation. The activity level of antioxidative enzymes Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione (GSH), and protein content significantly declined in dexamethasone-treated rats in a dose-dependent manner. Histological observation revealed different degrees of germ cell degeneration/alterations in testis and epididymis The present finding suggests that exposure to dexamethasone (70 μg/100 g bw) can potentially lead to severe impairments in male reproductive tissues (testis and epididymis) structure and function, which may consequently lead to male infertility.
Publisher
Informatics Publishing Limited
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