The effect of betaine administration on rat sperm quality following cadmium toxicity

The aim of this study is to survey the protective effects of betaine against cadmium and on sperm quality including progressive motility, sperm membrane integrity, concentration as well as testicular weight. Thirty adult male rats were allocated to the following three groups (n=10 in each group): control-saline, cadmium-saline and cadmium-betaine. Induction of testicular injury was achieved by a single injection of cadmium chloride intraperotoneally, and betaine was given orally 1 day before Cd injection and continued for 10 consecutive days. Five rats from each group were sacrificed on days 5 and 10 after Cd toxicity and sperm was taken from the epididymal tail for the evaluation. Testicular weight significantly decreased by cadmium toxicity. Likewise, the percentages of sperm progressive motility, membrane integrity and concentration significantly decreased in cadmium group compared to the control rats, whereas, betaine treatment could enhance membrane integrity on day 10. Although, progressive motility increased following betaine therapy by day 10, however the difference was not statistically significant. Betaine may prevent cadmium-induced oxidative stress probably due to its antioxidant properties. This resulted in increase of sperm membrane integrity in addition to partial recovery of sperm progressive movement.