Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Ph.D. student, Department of Biology, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Darab Branch, Islamic Azad University, Darab, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Iran
Abstract
Spermatogenesis, a complex process, is influenced by factors including hormonal regulation, environmental exposures, nutritional deficiencies, and genetic abnormalities. Disruptions in hormonal balance can adversely affect sperm production, leading to idiopathic infertility, which constitutes a significant proportion of male infertility cases. Environmental toxins such as pesticides pose a threat to male reproductive health by disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and impairing spermatogenesis. Penconazole, a systemic triazole fungicide widely used in agriculture, has been associated with reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress-induced testicular damage. Antioxidant-rich compounds like betanin, extracted from beets, and micronutrients like vitamin E and vitamin D3 have shown potential in mitigating oxidative stress and enhancing male reproductive function. This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of betanin, vitamin E, and D3, individually and in combination, in mitigating alterations in testicular tissue morphology and levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone in rats exposed to penconazole. Thirty-six adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six groups and subjected to various treatments for twenty-eight days. Blood samples were collected for hormone quantification, and histological studies were conducted on testicular tissue specimens. Statistical analysis revealed significant disparities in hormone levels among experimental groups, with betanin, vitamin E, and vitamin D3 showing efficacy in mitigating penconazole-induced spermatotoxicity and testicular damage. These findings underscore the potential therapeutic efficacy of betanin, vitamin E, and vitamin D3 in preserving male reproductive health and mitigating the adverse effects of environmental toxins on spermatogenesis. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential of these compounds in male infertility management and environmental toxicology.
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