Protective role of safranal on possible subacute effects of bisphenol AF in male new zealand rabbits

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used in some plastics and epoxy paints since the 1960s. The scientific operation in recent years is that exposure to BPA can cause adverse effects on the health of living things, including endocrine and neurobehavioral problems. Despite this, manufacturers have begun to produce and use multiple bisphenol analogs as alternatives to BPA. The effects of these analogs on health are not known for certain. One of these analogs, Bisphenol AF (BPAF), may have a higher endocrine-disrupting chemical and toxicological impact than BPA. The Saffron plant is grown in Turkey and many countries. According to chemical analysis, there are more than 150 chemicals in saffron stigmas, and among them, all these pharmacological effects; It carries the main chemical components of saffron, such as crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal, which are responsible for the specific color, taste, and odor of saffron. Safranal is a strong preservative formed by the isolation of metabolites on the Crocus sativus (Crocus, Saffron) plant. In recent years, it has been reported that this substance may have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, and neuroprotective effects. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the therapeutic potential of safranal against the possible negative effects of BPAF, a bisphenol derivative, on oxidative, histopathologic, and some male reproductive parameters in male New Zealand rabbits. In the current study, 24 male New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were used. The rabbits were divided into 4 groups Control, BPAF, Safranal, BPAF+Safranal groups with 6 rabbits in each group. Control group (C) received 1 ml corn oil per 1 kg body weight, BPAF group (BF) received 20 mg/kg dose of Bisphenol AF in 1 ml corn oil, Safranal group (SF) received 100 mg/kg dose of safranal in 1 ml corn oil, BPAF+Safranal group (B+S) received 20 mg/kg dose of Bisphenol AF + 100 mg/kg dose of safranal in 1 ml corn oil orally. The experiment lasted for a total of 9 weeks. Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly. Blood parameters were analyzed from the blood samples taken at the beginning and end of the study and changes in reproductive hormones were analyzed from the serum samples taken. Some spermatologic parameters were examined from the ejaculates obtained at the beginning and end of the study. At the end of the experimental phase, rabbits in all groups were euthanized following general anesthesia with isoflurane. Testes and epididymis tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Some oxidant-antioxidant parameters were also examined in the testes. In addition, reproductive hormones were determined from testicular tissue and seminal plasma obtained from ejaculate. As a result of the treatments, there was no difference between the groups in live weight and feed intake. BPAF significantly increased granulocyte (%) and total leukocyte count (WBC) in the blood. On the other hand, the lymphocyte (%) was decreased. Safranal caused only a partial decrease in the WBC. Although estrogen hormone was highest in the BF group, it was not significant in comparison with the control group. However, safranal decreased the estrogen hormone levels in serum and testis and showed this effect in the B+S group as well. BPAF caused a significant decrease in sperm concentration and motility values and safranal increased these values to control levels in B+S group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in testicular tissue were significantly increased in the BF group. Safranal treatment positively changed this negative effect of BPAF on MDA in the S+F group. Histopathologically, BPAF caused damage to testicular and epididymis tissues, whereas safranal treatment had a corrective effect on the histopathologic damage caused by BPAF administration. In conclusion, it was determined that BPAF administration caused oxidative damage in the testis and epididymis. In parallel with this damage, there was an increase in MDA levels and a decrease in semen quality. It was observed that saffron may play a protective role against these negative effects of BPAF.