Prophylactic Role of Resveratrol against Testicular toxicity induced by Acrylonitrile in Rats

Abstract

Acrylonitrile (ACN) is an aliphatic nitrile product which is extensively used in various synthetic chemical industries. ACN is known to exert toxic actions to human beings and experimental animals. The present study was designed to examine the ability of Resveratrol to protect testicular tissue from the toxic effects of ACN in adult albino rats. Groups of rats were submitted to daily oral administration of ACN for 90 days at a dose level of 40 mg/kg b.w., while other group submitted to daily co-administration of resveratrol in a dose 20 mg/kg b.w. with ACN 40 mg/kg b.w.. The results showed significant reduce in the levels of serum Testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in ACN group which indicates injury of the testicular  tissue characterized by atrophy of seminiferous tubules, depletion and degeneration of germ cells and spermatocytes,  while the interstitial tissue showed edema, congestion of blood vessel and cluster of Leydig cells with irregular pyknotic nuclei and separation of seminiferous tubules germinal layers from the basement membrane. Resveratrol reduce the effects of ACN and enhanced sex hormone production T, FSH and LH and enhanced the histopathological changes characterized by atrophied seminiferous tubules, mild absence of spermatid and sperm stages, edema and congestion of blood vessel of interstitial tissue.In conclusion, ACN cause severe testicular damage indicated by sex hormone production and histopathology, while resveratrol improve hormone production and reduce pathological effects of resveratrol.