Effect of silymarin and lithium chloride on DNA integrity in epidydimal ram sperm

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silymarin and lithium chloride on DNA integrity and nucleus of ram sperm. Material and Methods: In this study, Farahani's ram testes were obtained from Arak slaughterhouse immediately after ram daily slaughter and transferred to the research laboratory. A few incisions were made in the epididymis, and spermatozoa were then washed into a sterile falcon tube by Ham's F10 medium. collected spermatozoa of ram were divided into four groups: 1. Sperm at 0 hour, 2. Sperm incubated for180 minutes (control), 3. Sperm treated with lithium chloride for 180 minutes and 4. Sperm treated with silymarin + lithium chloride for 180 minutes. DNA integrity and DNA fragmentation were investigated by acridine orange staining sperm chromatin expersion (SCD) test respectively. Morphological feature of apoptosis in sperm nucleus was assessed using Diff-Quick staining. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance test (ANOVA) followed by Turkey's test . The percentage of DNA fragment and apoptosis were significantly increased in lithium chloride-treated group compared to the control. In silymarin+ lithium chloride group, Silymarin could signicantly compensate these effect compared to the lithium choloride group. Silymarin as a potent antioxidant could prevent toxic effect of lithium on DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in sperm nucleus.