Light microscobic and biochemical examination of the effect of lycium barbarum (goji berry) extract on fertility of acrylamide treated young male rats

In this study, we examined the toxic effects of acrylamide on testis and epididiymis of young male rats and the protective effect of goji berry (an antioxidant) against to these toxic effects. A total number of 24 Wistar albino male rats were categorized into 4 groups which are consist of 6 rats. During 5 days, acrylamide group (G1) was treated with 50 mg/kg acrylamide solved in distilled water via gavage. Acrylamide+goji berry group ( G2) was treated with acrylamide and 200 mg/kg goji berry extract via gavage. Nothing was applied to control group (G3). Goji berry group (G4) was treated with 200 mg/kg goji berry extract via gavage. When the body weights of animals, which were measured before the examination and after the examination, were compared statistically, significant declines were found in G1 and G2. Sperm DNA integrity had been protected in all groups, and there were no significant change in sperm numbers. When testis tissues were examined ; vacuole structures were detected in the seminiferous tubules of G1 and G2 animals, cell debrises and residual bodies were detected in the lumen of seminiferous tubules in G1 animals. We evaluated TUNEL (+) ( apoptotic) spermatogonia numbers statistically and found signaficant increases in G1 and G2. When Ki67 (+) (proliferative) spermatogonia numbers were evaluated statistically, there was significant decrease in G1 compared to G2. The level of MDA, CAT, SOD in testis was evaluated statistically, and found no difference. When serum testesterone levels were evaluated statistically, significant declines were found in G1-G2 and G1-G4. We evaluated FSH levels in serum statistically, and found a significant decrease in G1 compared to G3. There was no change in the structure of epididymis . We concluded that high dose and acute application of acrylamide gives harm to testes, and leads to decrease in FSH and testesterone, and goji berry provides a partial protection.