Histopathological investigation of the possible protective effects of Lavandula stoechas on testicular damage induced by cadmium chloride in rats

This study was carried out to investigate the possible protective effects of Lavandula stoechas on testicular damage induced by cadmium chloride in rats. Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant that can be found in the metal plating industry, chemical fertilizers, plastic products and paints. People and animals can ingest this toxic metal by consuming or breathing in agricultural products contaminated with cadmium. Cadmium causes oxidative stress and impairs the antioxidant defense system. Studies have shown that cadmium exposure causes disruption of the blood testicular barrier in mammals, germ cell loss, testicular edema, bleeding, inflammation, and sterility. Many of these factors cause oxidative stress. Spermatozoa are more sensitive to oxidative stress than most cells. In order to prevent kadmiyum toxicity, studies are carried out to use natural products. Lavandula stoechas is an important member of the Labiatae (Lamiaceae) family. This plant offers many beneficial effects therapeutically due to its high content of active compounds, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, 35 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups as follows: Control group, vehicle group (50 mg/kg/day i.p.), cadmium chloride (CdCl2) group (2 mg/kg/day i.p.), Lavandula stoechas (LSEO) group (50 mg/kg/day i.p.) and CdCl2 (2 mg/kg/day i.p.) + LSEO (50 mg/kg/day i.p.) group. The treatment was applied for 20 days daily. The experiment was terminated on the 21st day, testes were examined histopathologically, tubule diameters were measured, and Johnsen testicular score analysis was performed. It was determined that rat weights (p<0.01), seminiferous tubule diameters (p<0.001) and Johnsen score (p<0.001) were significantly decreased in CdCl2 group when compared to the control group. It was observed that rat weights increased in the LSEO + CdCl2 group when compared to the CdCl2 group. However the seminiferous tubule diameters (p<0.001) and Johnsen score (p<0.001) were decreased significantly when compared to the control group. In our study, it was determined that 50 mg/kg LSEO administration for twenty days prevented weight loss caused by 2 mg/kg CdCl2 in rats but did not show any significant protective effect on the histopathological damage of testis caused by CdCl2.