Sulforaphane Prevents Cadmium Chloride-Induced Reproductive Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal that disrupts development and reproduction, primarily through oxidative stress. In this context, sulforaphane (SFN), an antioxidant compound, may serve as a promising agent to counteract Cd-induced oxidative damage and prevent developmental and reproductive abnormalities. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SFN on reproductive toxicity induced by cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Five experimental groups were established: (I) Control: no treatment, (II) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO): 48 h with 0.01% DMSO, (III) CdCl2: 24 h with 4600 µM CdCl2, (IV) SFN + CdCl2: 24 h with 100 µM SFN followed by 24 h with both SFN and CdCl2, and (V) SFN: 48 h with 100 µM SFN. Co-exposure to SFN and CdCl2 prevented the reduction in the percentage of adult nematodes and increased egg-laying. It also significantly improved hatching rates, allowing more embryos to reach the larval stage, and prevented reductions in body size. However, no effects were observed on glutathione S-transferase-4 (GST-4) levels in the transgenic CL2166 strain. In conclusion, SFN substantially prevents Cd-induced reproductive toxicity in C. elegans. Future studies should investigate the molecular mechanisms by which SFN enhances egg-laying and offspring viability in this model.