Green tea improves rat sperm quality and reduced cadmium chloride damage effect in spermatogenesis cycle

Introduction: Testicular tissue is part of the reproductive system that some mineral compounds such as cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) destroy. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract can reduce the tissue damage caused by toxins due to its antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of green tea extract on sperm quality in cadmium chloride toxicity. Materials and Methods: In the present study, male Wistar rats were allotted randomly into four groups, namely control group (C), CdCl₂ (1.5mg/kg), GT 1.5% (w/v) and in combinationCdCl₂+GT groups. CdCl₂ was injected intraperitoneally (1.5 mg /kg) whereas the green tea extract was administrated orally. At 13, 25 and 49 days after treatment, the rats were euthanized and the reproductive organs (testes, epididymis) were excised and used for sperm analysis and histo-morphometric examinations. Results: The mean of the diameter of seminiferous tubes, the number of spermatogonia, Sertoli, Leydig cells and thickness of the germinal layer in the testis were significantly increased (P<0.05) in all groups compared to the CdCl₂ group (P<0.05). Sperm motility, sperm count and testosterone were significantly decreased in the CdCl₂ group compared to all groups of treatment (p<0.05). The mean of MDA was significantly increased in the CdCl₂ group compared to other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Green tea has an antioxidant effect that reduces the effects of free oxygen radicals produced from toxins such as cadmium chloride. In addition, it could decrease lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane and ultimately prevent the destruction of tissues in the long run.