The effects of proanthocyanidin on testicular toxicity in rats exposed to a glyphosate-based herbicide

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of proanthocyanidin (PA) on spermatological parameters and testicular toxicity in male rats exposed to glyphosate (GLP). In our study, four groups were formed out of 24 male rats, each group would include 6 rats. The rats in the PA group were given a dose of 400 mg/kg/day dissolved in DMSO via gastric gavage. The rats in the GLP+PA groups were first given GLP at the LD50/10 dose of 787.85 mg/kg/day, followed by administering PA at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day dissolved in DMSO via gastric gavage. The rats in the GLP group were given GLP at the LD50/10 dose of 787.85 mg/kg/day dissolved in DMSO via gastric gavage. It was determined that in terms of motility, in comparison to the control group, the decreases in the GLP group and the increases in the PA and GLP+PA groups were statistically significant (p<0.001). The administration of GLP increased DNA damage compared to the control group, but the GLP+PA and PA applications reduced DNA damage (p<0.001). The analysis of testosterone levels indicated a statistically significant reduction in the GLP group compared to the other groups. Consequently, it was determined that PA effectively prevented the decreases in the spermatological parameters lowered as a result of GLP exposure and the oxidative stress and toxicity in testicular tissue.