STUDY OF PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS L.HYDROETHANOLIC LEAVES EXTRACT ON SPERMATOGENESIS IN MALE RATS INDUCED WITH LEAD ACETATE

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that acts as environmental pollutant. Some medicinal plants can prevent toxin injuries in body tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Pelargonium graveolens leaves’ extract (PGE) on spermatogenesis process in male rats treated by lead. In this experimental study, 42 male rats were divided randomly into 6 groups (n=7): control (taking normal saline,0.5ml/day), witness (taking lead acetate, 500 ppm in tap water), positive groups 1 and 2: (250mg/Kg PGE and 500mg/Kg PGE), treated group 1and 2 (500 ppm lead acetate in tap water +250mg/Kg and 500mg/Kg PGE). The blood and testes tissue samples were prepared for hormonal and histological analysis. All the data were evaluated with ANOVA and Tukey test. The results showed that the testosterone serum level reduced significantly in witness group compared with the control group (P<0.001). The PGE increased testosterone serum level in treated groups (P<0.001). Lead acetate reduces the number of spermatogonia, spermatocyte, leydig and sperm cells significantly (P<0.001). The finding of this research revealed that PGE could inhibit the detrimental effects of lead acetate in testes. The PGE increased testosterone hormone and number of sperms in the treated rats.