ZINC AND Α-LIPOIC ACID AMELIORATES TESTICULAR DAMAGE AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN CYPERMETHRIN-INTOXICATED RAT.

The current study was aimed to assess the protective role of zinc and lipoic acid on testicular damage and oxidative stress in Cypermethrin intoxicated male Wistar rats. Animals were exposed to cypermethrin at two different doses (40 and 80 mg/kg body wt.) for consecutive 14 days. Before the administration of cypermethrin rats were pre‑treated with zinc (32.42mg/kg body wt.) and lipoic acid (35 mg/kg body wt.). At the end of the treatment, animals were sacrificed and testis, epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicles were removed and organ?s somatic index, sperm characteristics, and various biochemical parameters were studied. Cypermethrin exposure resulted in a significant decrease in somatic index of testis, epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicles, sperm count, sperm viability and sperm hypo osmotic swelling counts, which were normalised by the pre-treatmentof zinc and lipoic acid. Testicular acid phosphatase was decreased and ascorbic acid was increased significantly by the administration of cypermethrin, which were regularized by the pre-treatment of zinc and lipoic acid. Treatment with cypermethrin resulted in alteration in MDA and release of testicular ROS which was also normalised by pre-treatment with zinc and lipoic acid.The findings of the presented study indicated that zinc and lipoic acid ameliorated cypermethrin‑induced testicular damage by reducing oxidative stress.