Author/Authors :
Mesgari Abbasi، Mehran نويسنده Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. , , Dadkhah، Narjeskhaton نويسنده Faculty Member of Nursing and Midwifery Department,
Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, IR
Iran , , Shahnazi، Mahnaz نويسنده MSc, Instructor, Departement of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Shahnazi, Mahnaz , Parvin، Neda نويسنده Medical Plants Research Center, Shahr-e-kord University of Medical Sciences, Shahr-e-Kord, Iran Parvin, Neda
Abstract :
Some medicinal plants with their antioxidant properties have
protective effects on sperm parameters and neutralize the harmful
effects of lead exposure. The present study aimed to determine the
effects of Melissa on sperm parameters and spermatogenesis quality in
adult rats exposed to lead. This animal experimental study was conducted
on 45 male Wistar rats weighing 180 ± 20 g, which were allocated
randomly into five groups (n=9): distilled water gavages (control) (0.5
ml); intraperitoneal distilled water (i.p. control) (0.5 ml); Melissa
(100 mg/kg/bw); lead acetate (10 mg/kg/bw); and lead acetate (10
mg/kg/bw) plus Melissa (100 mg/kg/bw). After a 30-day treatment, the
animals were sacrificed. Sperm parameters (count, motility, morphology,
and chromatins assay) and weighing of the epididymis and testis were
performed. The results showed that in the lead acetate plus Melissa
group, epididymis weight (0.37gr vs. 0.32gr), testis weight (1.40 vs.
1.28g ), sperm motility (4.44% vs. 33.2 %(, and viable sperm (90 vs. 50)
were higher than the lead group. However, testicular weight, normal
morphology, and DNA percentage showed insignificant differences among
the study groups (P > 0.05). The results of the present study
indicate the protective effects of Melissa officinalis on some sperm
parameters and spermatogenesis quality in rats exposed to
lead.
