Melatonin averts BPA-induced perturbations of the epididymis of Wistar rats

Bisphenol A

Abstract

The protective effect of Melatonin (MLT) against Bisphenol-A (BPA) induced perturbation of the epididymis of Wistar rats was studied. Forty adult male rats assigned into four groups A-D (n=10) were used for the study. Group A (Control rats) received 0.2 ml of olive oil orally. Group B (MLT-treated rats): 10 mg/kg per day body weight MLT administered intra-peritoneally. Group C (BPA-treated rats): oral 10 mg/kg per day body weight BPA suspended in 0.2 ml olive and Group D (BPA+MLT-treated rats): All treatments lasted for 45 days. The results showed a significant reduction in epididymal weight, decreased sperm motility, livability and counts, decrease in catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities while hydrogen peroxide generation and lipid peroxidation were significantly increased compared with the control. Exposed rats also showed induced necrosis and epithelial sloughing as well as decreases in the expression of alpha Smooth Muscle Actin (αSMA), Vimectin (Vm) and S-100 proteins in the epididymidis. However, co-administration of MLT alongside BPA averted BPA-induced alterations in biochemical markers of oxidative stress, semen quality, protein expression and tissue architecture. Hence, MLT averts BPA-induced perturbations of the epididymis in Wistar rats.