Effect of curcumin on plasma membrane integrity and stress oxidative factors testis and serum in mice treated with cadmium chloride

The current research was done to investigate the sperm plasma membrane integrity, oxidative stress factors of sperm and testis in male mice treated with cadmium. Material and Methods: 24 adult NMRI mice were divided into four groups: 1. Control group 2. Treated with cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg) 3. Treated with Curcumin (100 mg/kg) 4. Treated with curcumin + cadmium chloride. The treatments were performed as a single dose and after 24 hours, epididymal spermatozoa of different groups were used to evaluate the plasma membrane integrity. In addition, the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the anti-oxidant activity of serum and testis were evaluated. Data were analyzed using ANOVA test followed by Turkey’s test (p<0.05). findings showed that cadmium chloride caused a significant decrement in plasma membrane integrity compared to the control groups. In addition, cadmium chloride induced a significant increment of MDA in serum and testis and a significant decrement in total antioxidant activity of serum and testis as compared to the group. In curcumin + cadmium chloride- treated group, curcumin could significantly compensate the toxic effect of cadmium on these parameters compared to the cadmium-treated group. it seems thatcurcumin as a potent antioxidant is able to ameliorate the adverse effects of cadmium chloride on sperm plasma membrane integrity, lipid oxidation and total antioxidant activity of serum and testis.