. Protective role of green tea (Camellia sinensis) hydroalcholic extract on sperm parameters and testicular tissue in NMRI mice exposed to sodium arsenite

Background and Aim: Sodium arsenite is an environmental pollutant with the capacity of generating free radicals and tissue damage. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of green tea extract (GTE), as an antioxidant, on sperm parameters and testis tissues of the mice treated with sodium arsenite. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four adult male NMRI mice with mean body weight 30±5g were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: control, sodium arsenite (5mg/kg/d.), GTE (100mg/kg/d.) and sodium arsenite+GTE. Oral treatments were performed as long as 34 days. At the end of treatments, body and left testis weight were recorded and the left caudal epididymis of each subject was cut under Ham's F10. Then, the released spermatozoa were used to analyze sperm parameters. Sperm chromatin quality was assessed by nuclear staining using acridine orange and aniline blue. The left testis of each mouse was used for histopathological observation. The serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level was measured as an index of lipid peroxidation. Finally, the obtained data was analyzed by means of one-was ANOVA at the significant level P<0.05. Results: A significant decrease in the number, motility, viability (P<0.001) and normal morphology of sperm (P<0.01) and also in mean diameter of seminiferous tubules, germinal epithelium thickness (P<0.001) were found in the mice treated with sodium arsenite compared to the controls. The mice treated with sodium arsenite revealed a significant increase in the mean diameter of seminiferous tubules lumen and MDA levels (P