Protective Effect of All-Trans Retinoic Acid in Cisplatin-Induced Testicular Damage in Rats

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in cisplatin (CP)-induced testicular damage in rats.

Materials and methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, ATRA alone, ATRA+CP, and CP alone. Body weight, testicular weight, sperm count, sperm motility, percentage of abnormal sperm, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) in testicular tissue, and testicular histopathology were compared among groups.

Results: The sperm count and motility significantly decreased and the percentage of abnormal sperm significantly increased in the CP group compared to the control and ATRA groups. CP+ATRA administration significantly increased the sperm count and motility, but reduced the abnormal sperm count. CP administration significantly increased TOS and OSI compared to the control group and the other groups. Administering CP+ATRA significantly decreased TOS and the OSI in testicular tissue and reduced spermatogenesis, but increased the Johnsen score.

Conclusions: The destructive effects of CP treatment on testicular tissue and spermatogenesis were reduced by administering ATRA.

Keywords: Cisplatin; Oxidative stress; Spermatogenesis; Testis; Vitamin A.