Punicalagin ameliorates spermatological parameters in bisphenol A treated New Zealand White Rabbits

Abstract

The ameliorating effects of punicalagin (PUN) were evaluated against some reproductive parameters in male New Zealand White rabbits treated with bisphenol A (BPA). Rabbits (n = 24) were adapted to laboratory conditions for 2 weeks before the experiment. After adaptation, rabbits were randomly assigned into 4 groups. The control group received tap water and corn oil. Rabbits in BPA and PUN groups received 20 mg/kg BPA in corn oil + tap water, and 2 mg/kg PUN in tap water + corn oil, respectively. Rabbits in the last group received the same amounts of BPA and PUN. All treatments were administered by daily oral gavages for 9 weeks. On d 63 of the experiment, semen and blood samples were collected. Blood samples were used for the evaluation of some hormones. After blood collection, rabbits were euthanized and the right testis was stored at –80°C. At the end of the experiment, inhibin, FSH, LH, FSH/LH ratio, FSH/inhibin ratio, and estrogen levels were similar among the groups. However, testosterone levels in serum, and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde levels in testis tissues were negatively affected by BPA. Moreover, sperm concentrations and the percent of progressive motility significantly declined in BPA treated rabbits. PUN treatment significantly improved these parameters up to control levels when coupled with BPA. The results indicated that PUN has ameliorating effects in neutralizing the possible toxic effects of BPA in male rabbits.