CRYPTORCHIDISM AND HYPERTHERMIA-INDUCED TESTICULAR INJURY IN ADULT MALE RATS; INTERVENTION OF ALPHA TOCOPHEROL
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Date
2023-03
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An international journal published by the Society for Experimental Biology of Nigeria
Abstract
The objective of this study is to determine the effects of cryptorchidism and hyperthermia on the
testicular cytoarchitecture of adult male rats, quality and quantity of semen and the level of oxidative
stress in the testes before and after intervention of Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E). Twenty-four (24) adult
Wistar rats were used for this experiment and they were divided into seven groups (n=4). Experimental
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cryptorchidism was carried out in some animals while others were subjected to hyperthermia from two
sources (hot oven and light bulb) for 28 days; followed by intervention of 100mg/kg alpha-tocopherol
for fourteen (14) days. All animals were then euthanized under anaesthesia. The testes were excised and
fixed and processed using haematoxylin and eosin technique. Plasma was assayed for glutathione,
superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Cryptorchidism and hyperthermia caused in
cycto-architectural distortion in the testicular structures of exposed animals and significant reductions in
caudal epididymal sperm count and motility, morphology and life and death ratio. Plasma SOD and GLU
levels also reduced significantly in exposed animals while MDA levels increased significantly, indicating
peroxidation of testicular tissue. Alpha-tocopherol due to its anti-oxidative properties impeded
lipoperoxidation of the membrane, conserving cell union and increasing the amount of germ cells in the
seminiferous epithelium. At doses and durations tested, alpha-tocopherol (αT) reverted to a significant
extent the effects of cryptorchidism and hyperthermia by reducing apoptosis in germ cells, promoting
cell survival and reducing histological alterations to the seminiferous epithelium.
Keywords: Cryptorchidism, hyperthermia and Alpha-tocopherol
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Cryptorchidism, hyperthermia and Alpha-tocopherol