Ginsenoside Rg1 alleviated testicular and sperm damage in rats exposed to bisphenol A

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a global environmental contaminant, is a well-known endocrine disruptor that can impair male reproductive function. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on alleviating BPA-induced testicular dysfunction and poor sperm quality. Adult male rats were divided into four groups: control, BPA, BPA + Rg1, and Rg1. Rats were injected intraperitoneally daily with BPA (50 mg/kg) and Rg1 (20 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. The histopathology of testicular tissues, sperm quality, mRNA and protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2, serum levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH, and the activity of antioxidant markers (MDA, SOD, and GPx) were determined. BPA exposure resulted in a significant reduction in the thickness and diameter of seminiferous tubules, a decrease in both mRNA and protein expression of Bax, a reduction in serum levels of testosterone, LH, and FSH, a reduction in SOD and GPx activity, and an elevation in MDA levels. Additionally, BPA exposure resulted in increased DNA fragmentation, chromatin decondensation, and abnormalities in sperm samples. All end points examined above were significantly reversed by Rg1 co-treatment, suggesting that the administration of ginsenoside Rg1 can provide protective effects against BPA-induced testicular impairments.