P-16: Effect of Vitamin E and Green Tea Extracts on Semen Quality and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Rat Exposed to Cadmium

Background: Cadmium is a potential pollutant of the environment. It manifests cyto-toxic effects in different organs in animals. In the testis, changes due to disruption of the blood-testis barrier and oxidative stress have been noted. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the potential protective effects of vitamin E and green tea extract in combination against cadmium (Cd) toxicity. Materials and Methods: Twenty adult male rats were treated with four different regimens: Animals within different treatment groups were maintained on their respective diets for 5weeks as follows: group 1, untreated control; group 2, treated with Cadmium coloraide (4 g/L); group 3, treated orally with green tea extract (400 mg/ kgw) plus Cadmium coloraide (4 g/L); group4, treated orally with vitamin E (100 mg/kg) plus Cadmium coloraide (4 g/L). Results: Cadmium coloraide produced a reduction in epidymal sperm count, sperm motility and sperm viability. Co-administration of aqueous extracts of green tea and vitamin E with cadmium coloraide prevented the changes in sperm and biochemical parameters. Exposure to Cadmium coloraide significantly increased malondialdehyde levels with a significant decrease in the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in testes of rats. Supplementation of vitamin E and aqueous extracts of green tea to Cd-induced rat groups declined lipid peroxidation, increased sperm motility and viability and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: These studies suggest that administration of vitamin E and extracts of green tea protects against cadmium - induced and testicular oxidative stress.