The effect of green tea extract on the sperm parameters and histological changes of testis in rats exposed to para-nonylphenol

Para-nonylphenol (p-NP), an environmental contaminant, can generate free radicals that disturbs the reproductive properties. Green tea extract (GTE) is an antioxidant which may prevent the adverse effects of free radicals.

The aim was to investigate the effect of GTE on sperm parameters and testis tissue in p-NP-treated rats.

24 adult male Wistar rats (215 ± 20 gr) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6/each) – including control, p-NP (200 mg/kg/day), GTE (200 mg/kg/day), and p-NP + GTE – and orally treated for 56 days. The right testes and left caudal epididymis were used to evaluate selected parameters. In addition, the concentration of serum malondialdehyde was calculated.

A significant decrease in the sperm number, motility, viability and morphology (p < 0.001) was observed in the rats treated with p-NP compared to the control ones. The diameter of seminiferous tubules (p < 0.001), thickness of germinal epithelium (p = 0.018), total volume of testis (p = 0.009), volume of seminiferous tubules (p < 0.001), and testis weight (p = 0.017) decreased in the p-NP group in contrast with the other groups. Moreover, a significant increase of the malondialdehyde concentration was seen in the p-NP group when compared with the controls (p = 0.043). The majority of adverse effects of p-NP could be recovered following the administration of GTE.

It seems GTE can be used as a potent antioxidant in the case of p-NP toxication.