Protective Effect of Fenugreek Supplementation against Mercury Toxicity on Sperm Parameters, Serum Testosterone and Testicular Tissue in the Rat

Abstract

Background and objectives: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of
fenugreek supplementation against toxic effect of mercuric chloride (HgCl2) on Body weight
(B.W), testis and epididymis weight, some sperm parameters, serum testosterone, serum MDA,
and testis histology in the rat.
Methods: Twenty eight male albino rats weights ranging from 254 to 302 gm and were divided
randomly and equally into 4 groups. Group I: control, Group II: Rats received drinking water
contained HgCl2 100 mg/L ad libitum, Group III: Rats received drinking water contained HgCl2
100 mg/L ad libitum, and fenugreek (F1) 0.75 mg/kg/day orally by gavage, Group IV: Rats
received drinking water contained HgCl2 100 mg/L ad libitum and fenugreek (F2) 1.5 mg/kg/day
orally by gavage. The treatments were given for six weeks.
Results: Treatment with F1 caused no substantial changes in body weight, absolute weight, and
relative weight of testis and epididymis, sperm count and testosterone. Whereas sperm motility,
and normal sperm were increased significantly, and serum MDA was decreased significantly from
HgCl2 group. Improvement was observed partially in testis histology. Meanwhile, the protective
effect in F2 generally was more than in F1.
Conclusions: the present study revealed that the antioxidant activity of fenugreek supplement
reduced toxic effect of mercury. In addition, steroids and/or phytoestrogens in fenugreek
possibly compensated the reduced testosterone which resulted at least in part in improvement
of sperm parameters and testis histology.