Protective role of silibinin over nickel sulfate-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

Nickel damages the male reproductive system. We investigated beneficial effects of silibinin which has metal-chelating and antioxidant properties over nickel toxicity. Both antioxidative in testes overall related to sperm motility, membrane acrosome integrity orally administered Silibinin were evaluated against harmful 30 day intraperitoneal sulfate (5 mg/kg/day) administration rats. Male rats randomized into control (Group1; n=6) three experimental groups (n=6, each): Group2 mg/kg/day), Group3 (150 Group 4 + mg/kg/day). found higher viable total count Groups 3 than 2 treatment percentage abnormal spermatozoa was similar both (Groups 4). Increased apoptosis, activation caspase3, 8, 9 TUNEL detected 2. However, reduced 4. The protective demonstrated on histopathologic findings some parameters (sperm motility percentage, spermatozoa, count, percentage) exposed nickel.