Thiocyclam-Induced Reproductive Toxicity, Oxidative Stress and Genomic DNA Damage in Testicular Tissues of Rats: Protective Effects of Green Tea Extract

Thiocyclam is a broad-spectrum nereistoxin analogue insecticide which widely used for agricultural applications. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of green tea (as a principal source of antioxidants) on Thiocyclam-Induced Reproductive Toxicity, Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity in adult Male Rats. Forty adult male rats were randomly assigned into four groups: control, Thiocyclam (ThC, 15.98 mg/kg b.w.), green tea extract (GTE, 2% w/v as the sole beverage) and (ThC+GTE) group. After 65 days of treatment, blood samples and testicular tissue were collected for measuring the oxidative stress parameters, testosterone level and DNA damage, whereas the reproductive organs were weighed, and Semen analysis and testicular histopathological studies was done. The results revealed that Thiocyclam administration induce a significant reduction in sperm count, sperm motility as well as testosterone level, while increased sperm abnormality. In addition to increased testicular tissue Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced GSH content and testicular DNA damage evidenced by comet assay. The histological examination of testes revealed degenerative change and disorganization of seminiferous tubules with incomplete spermatogenesis. On the contrary, GTE played a potential protective effect against Thiocyclam induced oxidative stress as well as alleviate the reproductive toxicity by improving the oxidative status, decrease oxidative DNA damage, improving semen characteristics and protective effect against testicular damage, highlighting the protective and therapeutic potentiality of green tea against pesticide-induced reproductive toxicity and its health benefits.