P-19: The Protective Effect of Vitamin E against Damage Caused by Formaldehyde on The Sex Hormones Level and Sperm Parameters of Adult Male Rats

Background: Formaldehyde (FA) is a suspected reproductive toxicant, which may cause significant adverse effects on human reproductive system. Given to its widespread use in occupational setting, and more recently, in several industries related to construction and household products, everyone may be exposed to FA. This study was designed to determine the effect of FA and to investigate possible protective role of vitamin E (VE) on male rat reproductive system. Materials and Methods: 32 adult male wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: (1) control rats, (2) Rats treated with vehicle (corn-oil), (3) rats treated with FA (FAt), and (4) rats treated with FA plus VE plus vehicle (FAt + V E) groups. FAt and FAt + VE groups were exposed to FA by intraperitoneal injection (10 mg/kg/ day) for 2 weeks. Furthermore, FAt + VE group were orally administered VE (30mg/kg/day) simultaneously. After the treatment, serum luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Testosterone were examined. More over the count, morphology and motility of sperm, were observed. Results: The quantity and quality of sperm was significantly decreased in FAt group compared with those in the control and vehicletreated group. VE treatment significantly improved these parameters in FAt+ VE group. Moreover, in comparison with control, the serum testosterone level mildly decreased and the serum FSH and LH level mildly increased in the formaldehyde exposure groups, but no statistically significant difference was observed. VE treatment restored these hormone level changes at a level similar to the control and vehicle- treated group in FAt + VE group. Conclusion: Our results indicate that Vitamin E appeared to ameliorate the adverse effects of FA on reproductive system of the adult male rat.