PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF GREEN TEA EXTRACT ON OVARY TISSUE FUNCTION IN RATS TREATED BY MALATHIONIN SECTICIDE

Introduction: This study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of green tea extract on ovary tissue function in rats treated by Malathion insecticide. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 mature Wistar rats aged 2 to 3 months (approximate weight of 200±15 g) were experimented. Rats were divided into 9 groups of eight. Control group did not receive any medication. Sham group was given 0.2 cc physiological serum and experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 received 100, 200 and 400 mg/KG bw green tea extract respectively, experimental 4 was given 40 mg/KG bw Malathion and experimental groups 5, 6 and 7 received 100, 200 and 400 mg/KG bw green tea extract respectively and 40 mg/KG bw Malathion. After 15 days, the serum levels of sex hormones were measured, and ovaries were removed for counting the ovarian follicles. Results: Serum concentration of estrogen, progesterone, FSH and LH were significantly decreased in experimental group 4 compared to control and other groups. The primary and Graafian follicles decreased in experimental group 4 compared to control group. Primary and secondary follicles and corpus luteum significantly decreased in experimental group 4 compared to control group. All examined parameters except Graafian follicles and corpus luteum increased in the experimental groups 5, 6 and 7 compared to experimental group 4. Follicular atresia increased in experimental group 4 compared to other groups and significantly decreased in experimental groups 5, 6 and 7 compared to experimental group 4. Conclusions: Malathion had an adverse effect on secretion of sex hormones in female rats, as well as the process of oogenesis, and green tea extract decreased those negative effects.