الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 4 |  |  |
| | | from | 4 | | |
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Querctin is a natural antioxidant and radical scavenger that is abundant in fruits and vegetables. It is one of the most prominent natural bioactive flavonoids found in a wide variety of plant foods. The present study assesses the effect of quercetin on fertility of neonatal male rats, Rats were administered orally with quercetin (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) for 28 days. At the end of the treatment, measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lipid profile, serum hormone analysis, sperm analysis and histopathology of the testis were estimated. Quercetin treatment significantly decreased TC, TG, LDL, VLDL and total lipids, and increased the HDL in treated groups. Serum testosterone levels were significantly increased in doses 10 and 20 mg/kg groups compared with control group. Treatment with doses 10 and 20 mg/kg significantly increased sperm count, motility, viability and sperm morphology compared to control group. There was a significant decrease in testosterone level in QR (40 mg/kg) compared to other treated groups and control. FSH was insignificant changed. LH was significantly increased at doses 10 and 20 mg/kg and significant decrease at dose 40 mg/kg. The administration of dose 40 mg/kg has shown a significant decrease in count of spermatozoa, epididymal sperm motility and increased the total abnormal sperm number compared with control group. QR (10 and 20 mg/kg) treated groups revealed normal structure of spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells and the seminiferous tubules appeared to be normal in size and shape. Also, at QR (10 and 20 mg/kg) groups the spermatozoa in seminiferous tubules were higher than those in dose 40 mg/kg. However, histological examination of the testis of dose 40 mg/kg revealed a remarkable wide degenerative interstitial tissue with liquid infiltration and disorganization of the seminiferous tubules. The Sertoli cells and leydig cells were abnormal with necrosis of Leydig cells and remarkable decrease in the number of spermatozoa. It could be concluded that quercetin has a hypolipidemic effect, and also, has beneficial effects at low doses on the sperm viability, motility, and serum total testosterone and could be effective for maintaining healthy sperm parameters and male reproductive function in neonatal male rats.