Open Access
Research (Published online: 14-02-2022)
11. α-Tocopherol restores semen quality in rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
Wurlina Wurlina, Imam Mustofa, Dewa Ketut Meles, Erma Safitri, Suherni Susilowati, Sri Mulyati, Budi Utomo and Suzanita Utama
Veterinary World, 15(2): 316-323

Wurlina Wurlina: Division of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 601155, East Java, Indonesia.
Imam Mustofa: Division of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 601155, East Java, Indonesia.
Dewa Ketut Meles: Division of Veterinary Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 601155, East Java, Indonesia.
Erma Safitri: Division of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 601155, East Java, Indonesia.
Suherni Susilowati: Division of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 601155, East Java, Indonesia.
Sri Mulyati: Division of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 601155, East Java, Indonesia.
Budi Utomo: Division of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 601155, East Java, Indonesia.
Suzanita Utama: Division of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Kampus C Mulyorejo, Surabaya 601155, East Java, Indonesia.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.316-323

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Article history: Received: 21-09-2021, Accepted: 12-01-2022, Published online: 14-02-2022

Corresponding authors: Wurlina Wurlina

E-mail: wurlina@fkh.unair.ac.id

Suzanita Utama

E-mail: suzanita-u@fkh.unair.ac.id

Citation: Wurlina W, Mustofa I, Meles DK, Safitri E, Susilowati S, Mulyati S, Utomo B, Utama S (2022) α-Tocopherol restores semen quality in rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, Veterinary World, 15(2): 316-323.
Abstract

Background and Aim: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a persistent organic pollutant toxic to the human reproductive system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of α-Tocopherol administration on the male fertility parameters of a rat model exposed to TCDD.

Materials and Methods: Fifty healthy 12-week-old male rats were randomly divided into five groups. Rats in the control group were given corn oil twice daily in 4 h intervals. In the treatment groups, all rats were given TCDD at a dose of 700 ng/kg of body weight (BW)/day for 45 days. Four hours after receiving the TCDD, T0 rats were given corn oil, and T1, T2, and T3 rats were given α-Tocopherol at doses of 77, 140, and 259 mg/kg BW/day, respectively, for 45 days. On day 46, experimental animals were sacrificed to collect blood and testicular samples.

Results: TCDD exposure decreased superoxide dismutase activity, plasma membrane integrity, Leydig cell count, sperm cell count, sperm viability and motility, and increased malondialdehyde levels, serum testosterone levels, and sperm morphological abnormalities. The administration of α-Tocopherol mitigated the effects of TCDD exposure, and the 140 and 259 mg/kg BW/day treatments returned those male fertility parameters to normal levels.

Conclusion: The administration of 140 mg/kg BW/day α-Tocopherol restored male semen quality in rats exposed to TCDD. We found dynamics serum testosterone levels in rats exposed to TCDD that need to be further studied.

Keywords: α-Tocopherol, dioxin, fertility parameters, pollutant, reproductive system.