The Therapeutic Role of Astaxanthin in Countering the Effects of Cadmium on the Structure and Function of the Male Reproductive System

(Mohammad Amer Salaho and Mahmoud Kassem)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the therapeutic role of Astaxanthin in reducing the effect of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) on the reproductive function of Syrian hamsters. Blood and testis were collected from the study subjects and analyzed for biochemical and histopathological changes, respectively. To distinguish the therapeutic impact of the treatment, a quantitative study was also conducted to examine testicular weights, testosterone concentration, the vitality of sperm, and the diameter of seminiferous tubules. Male adult hamsters (28hamsters; n=7/group) were divided into four equal groups: a control group, a group treated with cadmium chloride (5mg/kg/day), and two groups treated with both CdCl2 and Astaxanthin; the latter was given at (2.5mg/kg/day) or (5mg/kg/day). The results showed an improvement in the histological structure of the Astaxanthin-treated groups as well as a significant increase in their testosterone concentration and other quantitative measures compared to the cadmium group.

KEYWORDS
Astaxanthin, cadmium, testis, testosterone, and therapy

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