Objectives. To study bisphenol A (BPA) effect on testicular functions in adult male rats using histopathology, and biochemical assays and to investigate vitamin E and melatonin role on BPA-induced testicular toxicity in male rats.
Methods. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into six groups (n=7) including negative control group, vehicle control group (0.2 mL of corn oil), BPA group (50 mg/kg), BPA(50 mg/kg) +vitamin E (100 mg/kg) group, BPA(50 mg/kg) + melatonin (10 mg/kg) group, BPA(50 mg/kg) +vitamin E (100 mg/kg) + melatonin (10 mg/kg) group. All medications were given 3 days a week for 3 weeks by intraperitoneal injection except vitamin E were given orally by a gavage needle. Laboratory investigations (testosterone level &sperm parameters), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, and histopathological examination of testis were done.
Results. The BPA-treated rats showed a significant reduction in the reproductive function parameters. Furthermore, BPA induced testicular oxidative stress by decreasing GPX activity and induced significant histopathological testicular changes. Co-treatment with vitamin E and melatonin protected against these alterations.
Conclusion. Findings from the present study confirmed that BPA caused testicular dysfunction which may be due to BPA-induced oxidative stress and showed that vitamin E and melatonin antioxidants may have a protective role on the reproductive toxicity induced by BPA in male rats.