Effects of aqueous extract of catechin tea on some parameters of sperms and histopathological changes in testis of mice treated with Methotrexate (MTX)

Methotrexate (MTX ) is commonly used for the treatment of certain cancers including but not limited to leukemia, Hodgkin's disease and head and neck cancers and causes reproductive damage in mice. The aim of this research, is to study the effects of catechin aqueous extract on some parameters of sperms and histopathological changes in testis of mice treated with methotrexate. Thirty-two adult albino male mice were divided into four groups, (8 mice in each group) First group was (negative control) received normal saline intraperitoneally, while second group was treated with extract of catechin as positive control. The third group was treated with methotrexate (50 μg/kg). The fourth group was treated with methotrexate (50 μg/kg) also (ip) and extract of catechin 6g/kg for 21 days. The results showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in sperms motility , increased percentage of dead sperms and abnormalities of sperms in mice treated with MTX, there was significant (P<0.05) decrease in diameters of seminiferous tubules, primary spermatocytes and spermatids, increased interstitial spaces as compared with control, while in the second group result showed significant (P<0.05) increase in sperms motility , decreased percentage of dead and abnormalities of sperms and significant (P