Ameliorative action of eugenol on nitrate induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

There is a great concern for studies to prevent nitrate (NO₃) induced male reproductive toxicity as it might lead to infertility. Therefore, the study was aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of eugenol on NO₃ induced male reproductive toxicity in wistar rats. Adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=5). The first group was served as control, the second and third group of rats were treated with 100 mg/kg bw of sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) and NO₃ contaminated ground water respectively. The fourth and fifth group of rats were orally intubated with eugenol (100 mg/kg bw) and then exposed to NaNO₃ and NO₃ contaminated ground water respectively. The treatment was continued for 52 days. Nitrate exposure significantly decreased the sperm motility, testicular 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, serum concentration of testosterone, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in testis and spermatozoa and different categories of germ cells in stage VII of spermatogenesis. Further, there was significant increase in sperm abnormality and levels of nitrite (NO₂) and malondialdehyde in testis and spermatozoa of NO₃ treated rats. In addition, NO₃ exposure distorted the histological architecture of seminiferous tubules of testis. It was established that NO₃ induced high production of NO₂ affected spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis and sperm motility. However, in the present study, pretreatment of eugenol prevented NO₃ induced reproductive alterations by decreasing the level of NO₂. These findings clearly showed the protective action of eugenol against NO₃ induced oxidative stress in male reproductive system.