P-56: Silymarin Protected The Sperm Nuclear Maturity and DNA Integrity in Varicocelized Rats

Background: Varicoceles are the abnormal tortuosity and dilatation of the veins of the pampiniform plexus that drain the testis. Recently, studies evaluating the role of oxidative stress in male infertility have shown that infertile men with varicocele have elevated levels of sperm and testicular tissue-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore current study was designed to evaluate protective effect of slymarin (a potent antioxidant compound) on varicocele-induced sperm nuclear DNA damage and motility. Materials and Methods: Eighteen Mature male Wister rats divided into 3 groups as; control-sham (left varicocele induced for 42 days), Varicocele+SMN-administrated (50 mg/kg/day for 42 days, orally) group and control group. The serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total thiol molecules (TTM) were evaluated. The sperm DNA double strand fragmentation assessed by acridine-orange staining and sperm motility was analyzed accordance to WHO standard method. Results: The serum levels of TAC and TTM significantly (p<0.05) reduced in varicocelized rats, meanwhile the slymarin-administrated group showed remarkable increase in TAC and TTM level. The sperm DNA damage and motility significantly (p<0.01) decreased in varicocele-induced animals, while the slymarin-received group showed elevated motility with remarkably decreased DNA damage. Conclusion: Our data indicate that slymarin at last partly by up regulating the testicular antioxidant system exerts its protective effect on varicocele-induced DNA damage and immobility in sperms.