Authors : Jin-Long Yang, Ming- Wen, Kang-Cheng Pan, Ke-Fei Shen, Rui- Yang and Zuo-Hua Liu
Abstract: Cyclophosphamide (CP), an anti-cancer alkylating agent is known to be a male reproductive tract toxin. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effects of Lactobacillus casei as a probiotic product and potent antioxidant on CP-induced testicular and spermatozoal toxicity associated with oxidative stress in male mice. Seventy two healthy adult male Kunming mice were divided into eight groups of nine mice each. The blank group (P1) and the CP Model group (P2) were fed the basal pellet diet without any probiotics. The mice in the Lactobacillus casei+CP groups P3, P4, P5 and P6 were fed the basal pellet diet with 105, 106, 107, 108 CFU g-1 (diet) of Lactobacillus casei. The P7 and P8 group mice administered with Lactobacillus casei but not CP as a control group. For the 1st 5 days, mice in the P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6 groups were injected intraperitoneally with CP. All treatments were maintained for 8 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, body weight and the weight of the reproductive organs was determined. Histological and biochemical analyses of sperm and testicular tissue and serum sex hormone levels were performed. Administration of CP resulted in significant decreases in epididymal sperm concentration and motility and significant increases in the number of abnormal sperm and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Catalase (CAT) levels. However, Lactobacillus casei co-treatment prevented the development of CP-induced sperm and testicular damage. Compared with the CP groups, the Lactobacillus casei-treated groups showed increases in testicular and epididymal weights, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and sperm concentrations, percentages of morphological normality and serum testosterone levels. No significant differences were observed in the number of abnormal sperm in the epididymides and histomorphology of the testes between the P4, P5, P6, P7 and P8 groups and blank group. Lactobacillus casei has a significant protective effect on CP-induced toxicity in the male mice reproductive system.
Jin-Long Yang, Ming- Wen, Kang-Cheng Pan, Ke-Fei Shen, Rui- Yang and Zuo-Hua Liu, 2012. Protective Effects of Dietary Co-Administration of Probiotic Lactobacillus casei on CP-Induced Reproductive Dysfunction in Adult Male Kunming Mice. Veterinary Research, 5: 110-119.