Gallic acid mitigates cadmium-induced reproductive damage: Effects on sperm, antioxidants, and apoptosis in mice

Cadmium is a well-known reproductive toxicant found in many industrial wastes. The gallic acid impact on the recovery of reproductive ability of mice exposed to cadmium was investigated. The experiment involved six groups of male mice, designated as Groups 1 through 6, each receiving specific treatments: Group 1 received distilled water, Group 2 received water containing gallic acid with a concentration of 50 mg/kg, Group 3 received water containing gallic acid with a concentration 100 mg/kg, Group 4 was treated with water containing cadmium with a concentration of 1.2 mg/kg, Group 5 received water containing cadmium and gallic acid with concentrations of 1.2 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively, and finally Group 6 received water containing 1.2 and 100 mg/kg of cadmium and gallic acid, respectively. The mice's blood samples were collected after finishing the treatment stage to evaluate testosterone levels, and the testes were excised for stereological analysis and assessment of antioxidant and apoptotic marker expression. Sperm samples extracted from the epididymis were analyzed for quantity, morphology, motility, viability, maturation, and DNA fragmentation. Results indicated significant declines in all measured parameters in mice exposed to cadmium. Additionally, high doses of gallic acid adversely affected some fertility parameters in normal mice. In cadmium-exposed mice, mRNA expression of antioxidants (Gpx1, Cat, and Sod1) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl2l1) genes was significantly reduced, while the expression of proapoptotic (Caspase3 and Bax) genes increased. Notably, 50 mg/kg of gallic acid improved all fertility parameters in these mice. It is suggested that the high concentration of antioxidants can control oxidative stress, thereby disrupting the normal physiological level of reactive oxygen species in the mice's cells. Therefore, gallic acid at the appropriate dose improves fertility parameters in mice exposed to cadmium. The results showed that the dose of 50 mg/kg of gallic acid can effectively mitigate the cadmium detrimental impacts on the health of the vital organs of the male mice reproductive system. These findings suggest the potential therapeutic application of gallic acid in combating reproductive toxicity induced by cadmium, highlighting the importance of dosage in achieving beneficial outcomes.