Protective effect of curcumin on testis histopathology in sodium arsenite-treated adult mice

Arsenic as an environmental contaminant induces male infertility. Curcumin with potent antioxidant property is able to restrict oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on testis tissue and sperm count in adult mice treated with sodium arsenite. In an experimental study, animals were divided into four groups: control, sodium arsenite (5 mg/kg), curcumin (100 mg/kg) and curcumin+sodium arsenite. Treatments were performed by intraperitoneal injection for five weeks. After treatment period, body weight was recorded. Left testis was dissected, weighed and used for the histopathological study of seminiferous tubules. Left cauda epididymis was also used to count sperm number. Mice treated with sodium arsenite showed a significant decrease in the sperm count, the diameter of seminiferous tubules and a significant increase in the lumen diameter of tubules compared to control group. In curcumin+sodium arsenite group, curcumin significantly reversed the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on testis and sperm count. Whereas, the treated mice showed no significant difference in body and testis weight as well as morphology and nuclear diameter of spermatogonia between four groups. Curcumin is able to compensate the toxic effect of sodium arsenite on sperm count and testis in adult mouse.