Effect of Origanum vulgare on Histological Damage, Oxidative Stress and Sperm Parameters Following Induction of Ischemia/Reperfusion in Adult Rat Testis

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Origanum vulgare administration on testicular injury induced by torsion/detorsion  .

In this experimental study, 64 adult rats were divided into 8 equal groups, as following:1-Sham: the abdominal cavity was opened and then closed. 2.Torsion/detorsion: the rats underwent spermatic cord twisting for 4 hours and then untwisting (30 minutes before untwisting normal saline was injected). 3.Torsion/detorsion+ Origanum vulgare: Similar to group 2, the only difference was injections of Origanum vulgare with different doses (400 mg/kg, 250, 100) which were given to 3 separate groups. 4. Origanum vulgare recipient: without any surgery, injections of Origanum vulgare were given to 3 separate groups with different doses (400 mg/kg, 250, 100). Twenty-four hours after surgery, blood samples were taken to measure oxidative stress factors. Testicular tissue was removed for assessment of histological changes, and the epididymis tissue was used to measure sperm parameters. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.

We found significant decreases in Johnson's score, epithelium height, and seminiferous tubule diameter (data obtained from histological examination), number and morphology of sperm parameters and oxidative stress factors (Malondialdehyde, Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase and, Catalase) in the torsion/detorsion group compared to those in the sham group (P= 0.0001), while they improved in the torsion/detorsion groups receiving Origanum vulgare group compared to those in the torsion/detorsion group, but in most cases, the results were not significant.

It seems that Origanum vulgare can partially reduce the damage caused by testicular torsion/detorsion.