Doxorubicin-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats: ameliorative effect of omega-3 fatty acids

Abstract

Doxorubicin is a widely used antineoplastic agent for treatment of cancers.  Its use is associated with side effects including reproductive impairment. Possible mitigative effect of a common antioxidant, Omega-3 was investigated on doxorubicin-induced male reproductive toxicity. Fifteen male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, doxorubicin-only and doxorubicin+Omega-3 groups of 5 rats each. Doxorubicin was administered at a dose of 3mg/kg intraperitoneally on days 1, 7, 14 and 28 while Omega-3 (300mg/kg) was given orally, daily for 28 days. Results showed significantly decreased (p<0.05) sperm count, motility and viability in the doxorubicin-only and doxorubicin+Omega-3 groups compared with control, but significantly (p<0.05) higher in the doxorubicin+Omega-3 than in the doxorubicin-only groups. Teratozospermia was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the doxorubicin-only and doxorubicin+Omega-3 compared with control, though significantly (p<0.05) lower in the doxorubicin+Omega-3 than in doxorubicin-only groups. Serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in the doxorubicin-only compared with control and Doxorubicin+Omega-3 groups, though significantly increased in the doxorubicin+Omega-3 compared with the Doxorubicin--only groups. Serum luteinizing hormone was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in the doxorubicin-only and doxorubicin+Omega-3 compared with control, but significantly higher (p<0.05) in the doxorubicin+Omega-3 than in doxorubicin-only group. Testicular malondialdehyde was significantly (p<,0.05) raised in the doxorubicin-only and doxorubicin+Omega-3 groups compared with control (p<0.05), but significantly lower (p<0.05) in doxorubicin+Omega-3 than in doxorubicin-only groups. Testicular glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly (p<0.05) elevated in the doxorubicin-only compared with the control and doxorubicin+Omega-3 groups, but significantly (p<0.05) higher in doxorubicin+Omega-3 than in doxorubicin-only groups. It is therefore concluded, doxorubicin-induced male reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress are mitigated by Omega-3.