α-Lipoic acid inhibits testicular and epididymal oxidative damage and improves fertility efficacy in arsenic-intoxicated rats.

The present study evaluates the protective effect of α-lipoic acid (LA) against arsenic-induced testicular and epididymal oxidative damage in rats. Arsenic caused significant reduction in the reproductive organ weights, serum testosterone levels, testicular daily sperm count, epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, sperm viability, and sperm membrane integrity. Significant reduction in the activity levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione levels with a concomitant increase in the lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl content in the testis and the cauda epididymis of arsenic-exposed rats. Arsenic intoxication also enhanced the testicular caspase-3 mRNA levels, disorganization of testicular and cauda epididymal architecture as well as increased arsenic content in the testis and the cauda epididymis of rats. Arsenic exposure also deteriorated fertility ability in male rats over controls. Conversely, α-LA negated the testicular and cauda epididymal oxidative stress and restored the male reproductive health in arsenic-exposed rats.