Endocrine Abstracts

The present study was carried out to investigate the reproductive toxicity of butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP) on semen characteristics, hormones levels (testosterone, LH and FSH), testicular lipid peroxidation and antioxidants enzymes and histological changes in testes in male rabbits for 12 weeks. The flaxseed lignan and its mammalian metabolites have been reported to exert protective effects against diet-related chronic diseases through a variety of mechanisms including phytoestrogenic and antioxidant effects. Therefore, the protective effect of flaxseed against BBzP-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress was studied. Rabbits were orally administered the doses of flaxseed, BBzP and flaxseed plus BBzP every day for 12 weeks. Results obtained showed that BBzP significantly decreased libido, ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm output, sperm motility, total motile sperm per ejaculate, packed sperm volume, total functional sperm fraction, normal and live sperm and semen initial fructose. While, FSH, LH, initial hydrogen ion concentration (pH), and dead and abnormal sperm were increased. Also, testosterone levels, body weight (BW), relative weights of testes (RWT) and epididymis (RWE) were decreased. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and lactate dehydrogenase were increased, while antioxidant enzymes, transaminases and phosphatases were decreased in seminal plasma of rabbits treated with BBzP compared to control. Flaxseed alone significantly increased testosterone levels, BW, RTW, REW, improved semen characteristics and seminal plasma enzymes, and decreased the levels of free radicals and lactate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, the presence of flaxseed with BBzP alleviates its toxic effects. From the present study, it can be concluded that flaxseed can be effective in the protection of BBzP-induced reproductive toxicity.