P-61: Comparing The Protective Effects of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Cornus Mas Versus Vitamin E on Methotrexate-Induced Damages on Sperm Parameters

Background: Methotrexate (MTX), as antimetabolite and antifolate compound, is used to treat the certain types of tissue over activity and cancers. The MTX interferes with cell division through inhibiting the purine and pyrimidine synthesis. Moreover, the toxic impact of the MTX on gonadal tissues has been reported. Therefore, current study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of cornus mas hydro-alcoholic extract (CME) and vitamin E, as potent antioxidants, on MTX-induced damages on sperm DNA integrity and chromatin condensation. Materials and Methods: Forty eight mature male mice were divided into six control, test and treatment (N=8 mice for each group) groups. The control group received normal saline (0.25 ml, orally). The test and treated groups were subdivided into five groups including; MTX alone-administrated (20 mg/kg, ip., once a week, for 35 days), three group of MTX+CME at dose levels of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg (orally for 35 days) and the MTX+vitamin E (100 IU/kg, orally for 35 days). The sperm count and motility, DNA integrity and chromatin condensation were evaluated. Results: MTX administration remarkably (p<0.05) reduced the semen quality, while the animals in CME and vitamin E-dosed groups revealed with considerably (p<0.05) better sperm parameters. Qua, the high dose CME-administrated animals showed significantly (p<0.05) higher sperm count and motility versus the vitamin E-received groups. Significantly higher percentage of sperms with normal DNA and condensed chromatin was observed in high dose CME-received group versus vitamin E-administrated animals. Conclusion: Our data suggest that high dose CME could fairly protect the sperms against MTX-induced damages even better than vitamin E.