P-42: Protective Effect of Curcumin on Spermatogenesis Defects Induced by Dexamehasone

Background: Exposure to glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone (Dex) leads to numerous changes in various biological systems including the reproductive system. The present study investigates the efficacy of curcumin (Cur), an active component of turmeric, to attenuate Dex-induced spetmatogenic defects in the mouse testicles. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 male mice were divided into four groups (8 mice each). The first group served as control and received corn oil only for 25 days. Mice of the second group received Dex at the dose of 7 mg/kg body weight by i.p. injection for 7 days. Mice of the third group received curcumin dissolved in corn oil at a dose of 200 ml/kg body weight. The fourth group received Cur at the dose of 200 mg/kg for 25 days and Dex at the same dose of the second group was injected during the last 7 (18 to 25) days. Statistical significance was determined using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)followedby Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison tests. A p value <0.05 denoted the presence of a statistically significant difference. Results: Testicular histopathology, morphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry assessments were performed for evaluation of the Dex and Cur effects on testicular germ cells. There was marked staining for bcl-2, an important antiapoptotic factor, expression with Cur+Dex compared with the Dex groups. Dex caused epithelial vacuolization, sloughing of germ cells, reduction of seminiferous tubule diameter, and significant maturation arrest (p<0.05). Cur+Dex treatments showed significantly prevented these histopathologic changes (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Curcumin may improve the adverse effects of Dex in the mouse testicular tissue by inducing anti-apoptotic mechanism.