The Effects of Folic Acid on Testicular Histology, Sperm Quality, and Spermatogenesis Indices Following 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Exposure in Adult Male Rats
Iman Rad, Arezoo Saberi, Najmeh Sadat Koochakzadeh-Nematollahi, Victoria Habibzadeh, Ehsan Salarkia, Sedigheh Amanollahi, Saeideh Nikpour
Addiction and Health September 4, 2023 DOI: 10.22122/ahj.v13i1.295 via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn adult male rats, the drug MDMA (a form of ecstasy) damaged sperm quality, testicular structure, and hormone levels, and disrupted antioxidant enzyme activity. Giving folic acid alongside MDMA partly reversed these harmful effects, bringing the measures closer to those of untreated rats. The findings suggest that folic acid may help protect male reproductive function against MDMA toxicity.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adult male Wistar rats |
| Interventions | MDMA folic acid |
| Dose | 10 mg/kg of MDMA and 1 mg/kg of FA |
| Duration | 7 or 14 days |
| Keywords | Folic acid N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine Spermatozoa Spermatogenesis Rats |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key finding | Folic acid supplementation partially reversed the negative effects of MDMA on sperm quality, spermatogenesis indices, testicular histopathology, hormone levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities in adult male rats. |
Abstract
Background: There is an increasing concern over acute exposure of amphetamine and its derivative such as3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) on male reproductive toxicity. Supplementary vitamins canreduce the oxidative stresses and repair the damages on reproductive organs. This experimental study wasconducted to evaluate the effects of folic acid (FA) on reproductive indices, the antioxidant enzyme activities,and histological changes of testis on adult male rats treated by MDMA.Methods: This experimental study was conducted on adult male Wistar rats. Animals were divided into 4groups: control, MDMA, FA, and MDMA + FA. Animals received a dose of 10 mg/kg of MDMA and 1 mg/kg ofFA for 7 or 14 days. Rats were anesthetized and sperm quality parameters (number, concentration, motility,and morphology), spermatogenesis indices [the mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD), spermiogenesisindex (SI), repopulation index (RI), and tubular differentiation index (TDI)], changes on testicular structure,antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA)beside serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone weremeasured. Data were analyzed, using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and SPSS software.Findings: MDMA (both 7 and 14 days) caused significant changes in sperm quality (P < 0.001),spermatogenesis indices (P < 0.001), testicular histopathology, and level of LH, FSH, testosterone beside theantioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and MDA) (P < 0.001). Supplementation of FA in association withMDMA partially reversed these parameters and made them close to the control group.Conclusion: The results suggested that FA could reduce the adverse effect of MDMA on reproductive ability inadult male rats.