P-22: The Effect of Carbon Tetrachloride on Fertility Parameters and Therapeutic Effect of Cornus Mas

Background: Various investigations have established that carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a clear, colourless, volatile, heavy and nonflammable liquid, causes generation of free radicals in many tissues such as testis. a wide range of side effects such as reproductive toxicity has been observed following the administration of this liquid in experimental animals. Numerous studies have shown that among horticultural crops, fruits are sources of diverse antioxidant properties, which can protect body against CCl4 induced oxidative stress. In the present study we investigated the effects of Cornus mas fruit extract against carbon tetrachloride induced reproductive toxicity in rat. Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats (250- 300 g) were selected and randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6): • Sham group • Normal control with olive oil (1 ml/kg i.p.) on the 16th day. • Toxic control • CCl4 (1 ml/kg i.p.) on the 16th day. • Treatment group with plant extract (300 and 700 mg/ kg i.g.) for 16 days before CCl4 injection on 16th day. At the end of the treatment, the biochemical changes in lipid peroxidation (LPO) in testis, as well as testosterone concentration were assessed. Results: Serum testosterone concentration level were significantly decreased in serum of toxic group compared to sham and control animals, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly increased in CCl4 group compared with those in the control and sham groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that carbon tetrachloride affects fertility parameters and these findings indicate therapeutic effect of C.mas by providing antioxidants components against CCl4 toxicity in the testes of male rats.