Antioxidant Properties of Allium cepa (Onion) Against Permethrin-Induced Toxicity on LHCGR and SF1 Genes in Male Rats

Objectives: The use of pyrethroids (PYRs) due to availability and less toxicity to mammals is wide spread. Permethrin (PER) is type I pyrethroid which is usually used in agriculture industry and homes. High dose of these chemicals has destructive effects on biological systems mainly in spermatogenesis cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PER on key genes of SF1 (steroidogenic factor 1) and LHCGR (luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor) as well as hormonal levels (Luteinizing hormone [LH] and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] ) of testis. A natural antioxidant (onion) was used to investigate its positive impact on the negative effects of PER. Materials and Methods: Adult male rats were divided into 5 groups. Group 1 was considered as the control group. Groups 2 and 3 received DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and PER per day (35 mg/kg), respectively. Group 4 received 3 mL of onion juice in addition to PER (with the same dose). Group 5 only received 3 mL of onion juice. After 2 months, the gene expression levels were examined using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Testes were processed for sexual hormones level. Results: The results showed that exposure to PER demonstrated a significant reduction in expression of genes and hormonal levels. Onion juice had a moderate function in the expression of genes and prevented a decrease in serum levels of FSH and LH compared to normal condition. Conclusions: This hypothesis can firmly be stated that toxicity effects of PER can reduce male fertility. Therefore, consumption of natural antioxidants like onion can lead to a decrease in these damages.