Abstract

Previous investigations demonstrated that 6-gingerol-

rich

fraction (6-GRF)

prevented

testicular toxicity via inhibition of oxidative stress and endocrine disruption in CBZ-treated

rats. The influence of 6-GRF

on alterations in histomorphometry and marker

enzymes of testicular function in CBZ-treated

rats which hitherto has not been reported

was investigated in this study. The animals were orally administered either CBZ

(50 mg/kg) alone or in combination with 6-GRF

(50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive

days. Histomorphormetric analysis demonstrated that 6-GRF

significantly

prevented CBZ-mediated

increase in the organo-somatic

index of the testes and seminiferous

tubular diameter as well as the reduction in epithelium height and tubular

length of testes in the rats. Similarly, 6-GRF

ameliorated CBZ-induced

disruption in the

epithelium height as well as in the proportion of tubule and interstitium of the

epididymis the treated rats. Furthermore, 6-GRF

prevented CBZ-mediated

increase in

testicular acid phosphatase activity and the decrease in testicular alkaline phosphatase,

aminotransferases, glucose-6-

phosphate

dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase

activities. Moreover, 6-GRF

ameliorated CBZ-induced

reduction in the testicular and

epididymal sperm count and sperm motility in the treated rats. Conclusively, 6-GRF

enhances key functional enzymes involve in spermatogenesis and maintains histo-architecture

of testes and epididymis in CBZ-treated

rats.