Effects of Quercetin against Doxorubicin-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Male Rats

This study investigated the protective effects of quercetin (QUE) in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced testicular toxicity in rats. In the present study, testicular histomorphometry, the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP)-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in testes, and sperm parameters were studied in DOX exposed rats following QUE supplementation. The rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, sham, DOX, QUE and QUE + DOX; respectively. At the end of the experiment, the rats were killed and testes were isolated for epididymal sperm analysis, testicular histopathology and measurement of endogenous antioxidants. The results showed a significant increase in TUNEL positive cells per tubule, TUNEL positive tubules (%), testicular MDA, and total sperm abnormalities (%). However, seminiferous epithelial heights (SEHs) in stages VII–VIII seminiferous tubules of the spermatogenic cycle, testicular SOD activity, and sperm viability (%) decreased in the DOX group compared to the control, sham, and QUE groups. There was a significant difference in SEHs in stage VII–VIII tubules, TUNEL positive cells per tubule, and TUNEL positive tubules (%) between the DOX and QUE + DOX groups. Overall, the supplementation with QUE is beneficial in reducing the toxic effects of DOX in testicular architecture and sperm production by enhancing antioxidant activity and decreasing MDA.