Effect of proanthocyanidine on testicular toxicity in rats exposed to glyphosate-based herbicide

This study aims to reveal the effectiveness of proanthocyanidine (PA), which is a powerful antioxidant, on spermatological and oxidative stress parameters, DNA damage, serum testosterone level, and toxicity in testicular tissue in male rats exposed to glyphosate (GLF). In our study, 24 male Wistar Albino rats, 2.5-3 months age, weighing 160-180 g, were used. They were divided into 4 groups with 6 rats in each group. The rats in the control group (Group 1) were fed with standard rat chow and water. The rats in the PA group (Group 2) were given 400 mg/kg PA dissolved with DMSO and administered via gastric gavage. The rats in the PA+GLF group (Group 3) were first administered 400 mg/kg PA, then LD50/10 dose 787.85 mg/kg GLF mixed with DMSO and administered via gastric gavage. The LD50/10 dose of 787.85 mg/kg GLF was mixed with DMSO and administered via gastric gavage to the rats in the GLF group (Group 4). In terms of motility, a decrease was observed in the GLF group compared to the control group. In contrast, the increase in motility was statistically significant in the PA and PA+ GLF groups (p<0.001). In terms of abnormal spermatozoa and H+/E- ratios, it was determined that the decrease in PA and PA+ GLF groups and the increase in the GLF group were statistically significant compared to the control group (p<0.001). It was found statistically significant that GLF application increased DNA damage, while PA+ GLF and PA applications decreased DNA damage (p<0.001). A statistically significant difference was observed in GSH values (p<0.05). In the examination performed in terms of seminiferous tubule diameter, when the control group and PA+GLF and GLF groups were compared, the decrease observed in the GLF and PA+GLF groups was found to be statistically significant (p<0,001). When the germinative cell layer thicknesses were examined, it was determined that the decrease detected in the PA+GLF and GLF groups compared to the control group was statistically significant (p<0,05). As a result, it was determined that PA, a powerful antioxidant, effectively prevented negative histological changes in testicular tissue of rats with decreased spermatological parameters due to GLF exposure. Due to such positive effects, it was concluded that PA has a protective impact on GLF-induced testicular toxicity.