Aqueous Extract of Date Fruit (Phoenix Dactylifera ) Protects Testis against Atrazine-induced Toxicity in Rat

Abstract

ENGLISH/ ABSTRACT (ENGLISH/ ABSTRACT (ENGLISH/ ABSTRACT (ENGLISH/ ANGLAIS level of lipid peroxidation (MDA), Reduced glutathione (GSH), Catalase activity (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were estimated in all groups. Atrazine produced a significant decrease in the testicular weight ( p<0.005), Sperm count, Sperm motility and sperm with normal morphology ( p<0.005) when compared to control group. It also decreased the activity level of GPx ( p<0.005), SOD and CAT (p<0.05) when compared to control group. Further, a significant increase in testicular lipid peroxidation ( p<0.05) was observed in Atrazine treated group when compared to control group. Concomitant treatment with Date fruit extract restored the level of SOD, CAT, GPx and reduced the testicular lipid peroxidation. Testicular weight, sperm count, sperm motility and percentage of abnormal sperm were also normal in groups treated with ATZ and DFEs. Moreover, Date fruit extract was capable of reducing the level of lipid peroxidation in the testis. Therefore, the present study suggests that Atrazine exposure can lead to oxidative damage in the testicular tissue in rats and concomitant treatment with Date fruit extract can protect the testis from oxidative damage induced by Atrazine.