Modulatory Effects of Sesame Seed Oil on Permethrin-Induced Testicular Dysfunctions in Rats.

Permethrin (PM) is a synthetic type 1 pyrethroid insecticide, and excessive exposure can cause a wide range of toxicity. This study evaluated the activities of sesame seed oil (SSO) on the testicular histology and male reproductive parameters in permethrin-induced toxicity in adult Wistar rats. Forty (40) adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four (4) groups of 10 animals each. Group A received 0.5 ml of normal saline; Group B was given feed mixed with 1,000 mg/kg of 0.6% permethrin; Group C received 5 ml/kg of sesame seed oil, and Group D received feed mixed with 1,000 mg/kg of 0.6% permethrin and 5 ml/kg of sesame seed oil. All treatment was done daily for 4 weeks using an oral cannula. The animals were anesthetized and transcardially perfused with normal saline and 10% buffered formalin. The testis was processed for tissue histology, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, malondialdehyde, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were assayed. Furthermore, sperm count, motility, morphology, and viability were evaluated using the caudal epididymis. The result showed reduced body weight and testicular weight in the permethrin (PM) group. There was a reduction in the level of semen parameters due to permethrin exposure. There was also a reduction in the level of testosterone, coupled with a high level of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in the PM group. Permethrin disrupts endogenous antioxidants, and there were degenerative changes in the testicular histoarchitecture in the PM group. The sesame seed oil protected against oxidative damage in male Wistar rats. It regulated the hormonal profiles and improved the caudal epididymal sperm quality as well as improved testicular histoarchitectural integrity. This study showed that sesame seed oil improved testicular histoarchitecture and enhanced reproductive parameters in permethrin-induced testicular damage. Key words: Permethrin, Sesame seed oil, Glutathione, Testosterone, histoarchitecture.