Assessment of Gold-Mediated Male Reproductive Dysfunction in Male WISTAR Rats Through Sperm Analysis and Testosterone...

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Reproductive Biology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Gold compounds are utilized in medicine for anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and diagnostic purposes.
• Concerns regarding systemic toxicity and biodistribution necessitate research into gold's biological effects.
• Chrysotherapy, a gold-based treatment, warrants investigation into its potential impact on reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of a gold solution (allochrysine) on the reproductive function of male Wistar rats.
• To assess the impact of chronic gold administration on sperm parameters, testosterone levels, and organ weights.
• To determine if gold acts as an endocrine disruptor affecting male fertility.

Main Methods:

• Adult male Wistar rats received seven chronic intraperitoneal injections of sodium 3-aurothio-2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate (allochrysine) over two weeks.
• Control rats were administered a 0.9% NaCl solution.
• Evaluated reproductive organ weights, sperm motility, viability, density, morphology, testosterone levels, and kidney hypertrophy.

Main Results:

• Gold administration significantly reduced sperm motility, viability, and density, alongside increased sperm malformations.
• Testosterone levels in rats' blood were significantly diminished.
• Kidney hypertrophy was observed, while weights of reproductive organs (testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles) and nonreproductive organs (liver, brain) remained largely unaffected, except for the kidneys.

Conclusions:

• Gold solution administration negatively impacts male rat fertility by impairing sperm parameters and disrupting testicular endocrine function.
• The heavy metal gold generates oxidative stress, leading to kidney hypertrophy and potentially acting as an endocrine disruptor.
• Gold used in medical treatments may pose a detrimental risk to male fertility.