Phytic Acid Exposure Alters AflatoxinB1-induced Reproductive and Oxidative Toxicity in Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

The increased use of feed in Egypt's aquaculture and animal industries raises concerns about the possible presence of mycotoxins in feedstuffs. The use of alternative medicine, such as botanicals and nutritional supplements, has become popular with inflammatory cases. The present study aimed to testify the role played by phytic acid (IP6) in enhancing the reproductive and oxidative toxicity induced in aflatoxinB1 (AFB1) treated white male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) throughout treatment and withdrawal periods. One hundred and twenty white male albino rats were grouped into four groups. Group 1, was injected with 300 mug kg(-1) body wt of AFB1 once every 3 days for 15 days and left uninjected for another 15 days to study the withdrawal effect. Group 2, was injected with 300 mug kg(-1) body wt of AFB1 once every 3 days for 15 days and treated simultaneously with IP6 daily for another 15 days. Group 3, was treated daily with IP6 (40 mg kg(-1) body wt) for 15 days and with no treatment for other 15 days. Group 4, injected with equivalent volume of sterile phosphate buffer saline solution as a control group. Sera were taken at the experimental intervals and assayed for testosterone hormone, follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) to determine the toxicological impact of AFB1 and the possibility of amelioration by phytic acid on the reproductive performance of the studied animal. The effects of AFB1 treatment on the absolute and relative weight of testis as well as its histopathologic effect on the testis and the possibility of amelioration by IP6 treatment were evaluated. The activities of enzymatic and non-enzymatic anti-oxidants, in addition to lipid peroxidation were measured in the testis' homogenate of AFB1-treated rats. A decrease in sex hormone levels, an increase in testicular lipid peroxidation product levels and a significant decrease in testicular glutathione content, catalase and total peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were recorded. The histopathologic alterations revealed a degeneration and highly mitotic division within the spermatogenic nuclei, in addition to some karyomegaly and nuclear pyknosis. It is concluded that the reduction in the toxicity of free radicals by phytic acid might be responsible for the protective influence observed.

Keywords: aflatoxicosis; histopathology; hormonal assay; rats.

Figure 1.

Changes in body wt (g) absolute testis and relative weights and some sexual hormones of male albino rats treated with AFBI and phytic acid. Number of animals is six and values are expressed as means ± SD.

Figure 2.

Changes in oxidative stress and some anti-oxidant enzymes in testis tissue homogenate of albino rats treated with AFBI and phytic acid. Number of animals is six and values are expressed as means ± SD.

Figure 3.

A photomicrograph section of testis of control group shows the normal histology of the somniferous tubules and their normal layer distributions. H & E × 10.

Figure 4.

Section shows degeneration in the somniferous tubules (D) with absence of spermatozoa after 3 days of AFB1 injection. H & E × 10.

Figure 5.

A magnified photograph for testis section at third day post-AFB1 injection show karyomegaly of some spermatogonic nuclei (arrow) and mitotic divisions in other nuclei (head of arrow). H & E × 40.

Figure 6.

A photomicrograph shows a marked regenerative effect after 1 week post-treatment with phytic acid. H & E × 10.

Figure 7.

Section for testis of AFB1-injected group shows absence of spermatids in lumen and a marked regenerative effect after 2 weeks of injection. H & E × 10.

Figure 8.

A magnified photomicrograph for section of testis of AFB1-injected group shows absence of spermatids in lumen and a marked mitotic divisions and pyknotic of some spermatogonic nuclei (arrow), in addition to absence of the spermatozoa within the lumen after 2 weeks of injection. H & E × 10.

Figure 9.

A photomicrograph shows a marked regenerative effect after 2 week post-treatment with phytic acid. H & E × 10.

Figure 10.

A magnified photograph for section of testis of AFB1-treated with phytic acid after 2 weeks show somewhat regenerative features although absence of spermatides. H & E × 40.