Green Tea Extract Mitigates Deltamethrin-Induced Hepatic and Reproductive Toxicity in Male Rabbits

Deltamethrin (DLM), a widely used synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, is known to exert hepatotoxicity and reproductive toxicity in animals. This study evaluated the protective effects of green tea extract (GTE) against DLM-induced toxicity in male rabbits. Thirty adult rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control, DLM (8 mg/kg body weight), and DLM + GTE (300 mg/kg body weight). Treatments were administered orally for three consecutive weeks. DLM exposure significantly increased liver weight and plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased, whereas plasma total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) concentrations, hepatic glutathione (GSH) levels, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity decreased. Furthermore, DLM caused reductions in testicular and epididymal weights, sperm concentration, motility, and viability, accompanied by decreased serum testosterone and increased DNA fragmentation. Histopathological examination confirmed marked hepatic, testicular, and epididymal damage. Co-administration of GTE markedly ameliorated these biochemical and histological alterations, indicating its potent antioxidant and cytoprotective properties. In conclusion, GTE effectively protects against DLM-induced hepatic and reproductive toxicity in male rabbits, likely through attenuation of oxidative stress and preservation of cellular integrity.