Effects of Sargassum virgatum extracts on the testicular measurements, genomic DNA and antioxidant enzymes in irradiated rats

Abstract

Background

Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are primarily responsible for the development of male infertility after exposure to γ-irradiation. The present work aimed to assess the ameliorative and therapeutic roles of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the edible seaweed Sargassum virgatum (S. virgatum) on spermatogenesis and infertility in γ-irradiated Wistar rats.

Materials and methods

Induction of infertility was performed by exposing the rats to ¹³⁷Cs-gamma rays, using a single dose of 3.5 Gy. γ-irradiated rats were given the S. virgatum ethanolic (S. virgatum-EtOH) and aqueous extracts intraperitoneally on a daily base for two consecutive weeks at doses of 100 and 400 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) for each seaweed extract. Morphometric data of the testes, semen quality indices, antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation were assessed. The results obtained were taken during two-time intervals of 15 and 60 days from the commencement of the algal treatments. In vitro antioxidant assays and polyphenolic compounds of S. virgatum were characterized.

Results

Significant negative changes in the semen quality and morphometric data of the testes, as well as remarkable DNA fragmentation, were detected in the irradiated rats compared to the control. The levels of the endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPx) were also significantly diminished. Nonetheless, treatments of γ-irradiated rats with the S. virgatum-EtOH and aqueous extracts significantly improved the above-mentioned enzymes, in addition to noteworthy amendments in the dimensions of the testes, the semen quality, as well as the DNA structure.

Conclusions

The ameliorative potency of S. virgatum to cure γ-irradiation-induced male infertility, particularly 400 mg/kg ethanolic extract for 60 days, is the result of the consistent therapeutic interventions of its potent antioxidant and anti-apoptotic polyphenols, particularly protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, rosmarinic, chlorogenic, cinnamic and gentisic acids, as well as the flavonoids catechin, hesperidin, rutin and quercetin. Besides its high-value nutraceutical importance, S. virgatum could be a natural candidate for developing well-accepted radioprotectant products capable of treating γ-irradiation-induced male infertility.

Keywords:

• γ-irradiation
• male infertility
• Sargassum virgatum
• seaweeds
• antioxidants
• polyphenols

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank the Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, and Department of Radioisotopes, Nuclear Research Centre, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt for providing all facilities to implement this applied research. Authors are also very grateful to Dr. Sanet Janse van Vuuren, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, South Africa, for proofreading the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ahmed I. Semaida

Ahmed I. Semaida is a lecturer at the Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Egypt. His research involves experiments that improve animal reproduction, and the use of present-day biotechnology in the field of animal production.

Mona A. El-Khashab

Mona A. El-Khashab is a professor at the Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Egypt. She is mainly interested in animal production and increasing economic growth through research on animal health.

Abdullah A. Saber

Abdullah A. Saber is a doctor at the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. His research interest is utilizing the natural algal and seaweed products and extracts as potent bioactive radioprotectants against harmful effects and complications induced in biological systems as a result of exposure to irradiation.

Amal I. Hassan

Amal I. Hassan is a professor in Physiology at the Atomic Energy Authority, Nuclear Research Center, Cairo, Egypt. She is interested in researching green chemistry by using natural materials for treating chronic diseases.

Shady A. Elfouly

Shady A. Elfouly is an assistant teacher at the Atomic Energy Authority, Nuclear Research Center, Cairo, Egypt. His research interest is androgenic diseases and reproduction.