Protective Effects of Curcumin on Sperm and Stereological Parameters in Testes of Formaldehyde-Exposed NMRI Mice: An Experimental Study

Background and Aims: Formaldehyde (FA) exposure is an important cause of cellular injury and oxidative damage in testis, leading to infertility. This study aimed to assess the protective effects of curcumin on sperm and stereological parameters in testes from formaldehydeexposed NMRI mice. Materials and Methods: At 6-8 weeks of age, 24 adult male NMRI mice weighing 30-35 g were categorized into four groups (n=6) based on the treatment they received: Group І (control) received no treatment, group Iota; Iota; received FA (10 mg/kg), group Iota; Iota; Iota; received FA (10 mg/kg) and curcumin (100 mg/kg), and group IV (Solvent) received dimethyl sulfoxide (0.2 ml/day). Materials were administered intraperitoneally for 35 days. After excision, epididymis tissues were placed in 1 mL aliquots of Ham rsquo;s F10 medium at 37˚C for 20 min and were then used in analyses of sperm parameters. Testes were fixed and stained with Hematoxylin Eosin to investigate stereological indices. We also determined lipid peroxidation levels using malondialdehyde assays. Results: Mean sperm parameters (count, motility, viability, and morphology) differed significantly between groups ΙΙ and ΙΙΙ (p≤0.001). Stereological indices, including Leydig and spermatogonia cell numbers and surfacetovolume ratios of seminiferous tubules were significantly higher in group ΙΙΙ than in group ΙΙ (p≤0.001) . Finally, malondialdehyde levels in group III were significantly lower than in group II (p=0.001). Conclusions: The data showed that the curcumin, as an antioxidant, reduced FAinduced damage in sperm parameters and stereological indices in mice testes.