Introduction: Atrazine (ATR) is the most common herbicide used in the world. Several studies showed that ATR has many reproductive adverse effects. L-Carnitine (LC) is a flavonoid antioxidant.
Aim of the work: The goal of this research was to elucidate the structural and biochemical alterations induced by ATR in the ovary of the adult albino rats and to clarify the possible protective role of LC.
Material and Methods: 70 adult female albino rats were separated into 6 groups; Control, LC (given 100 mg LC/kg/day for 30 days), ATR sub-chronic treated (given 6.5 mg ATR/kg/day for 30 days), ATR sub-acute treated (given 65 mg/kg/day for 14 days), Sub-chronic protected (given 6.5 mg ATR/kg/day +LC 100 mg/kg/day for 30 days), and Sub-acute protected (given 65 mg ATR/kg/day +LC 100 mg/kg/day for 14 days). All doses were administrated orally. Blood and tissue samples were obtained and processed for biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical study. Statistical analysis was also done.
Results: Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2), ovarian superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) significantly decreased while the ovarian malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) significantly increased in ATR treated groups as compared to control group. Ovarian tissue of ATR treated groups showed significant increase in number of atretic follicles and loss of zona pellucida continuity in PAS stain as compared to control group. Atresia was confirmed by significant increase in immuohistochemical study of P53 in ATR treated groups. Also, there was significant decrease in mitotic division in ATR treated groups confirmed by immuohistochemical study of Ki-67 as compared to control group. Moreover, there was significant difference between the two ATR treated groups in both biochemical and structural findings. While, these changes were less obvious in protected groups after administration of LC.
Conclusion: Supplementation of LC could have a beneficial effect against ATR-induced ovarian damage.