Environ Exp Biol (2020) 18: 221–228

Protective role of vitamin B12 in oxidative stress-mediated testicular dysfunction in fluoride intoxicated rats

Abstract

Long-term fluoride intake is known to cause development of oxidative stress and fluoride-induced oxidative damage is regarded as a key contributing factor of testicular dysfunction. Vitamin B₁₂ is an essential nutrient and has been reported to be a potent antioxidant and fertility improving agent. In the present study, the protective effect of vitamin B₁₂ against sodium fluoride (NaF) induced oxidative damage in testes was investigated in rats. Twenty four adult Wister rats were divided into four groups, with six rats in each group. Group 1 was a control and received distilled water, NaF (100 mg L^–1) with drinking water was given to group 2, rats in group 3 were given vitamin B12 (0.63 µg kg–1 body weight) orally, and group 4 were administered with NaF with vitamin B12 for 21 consecutive days. Selected reproductive parameters, serum testosterone level, testicular histology and biomarkers of oxidative damage were determined. Degenerative changes in testicular tissue, significant reduction in sperm count, sperm motility, sperm viability, semen volume, low testosterone level, enhanced testicular malodialdehyde and NO level along with significant reduction in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and reduced glutathion level were observed following NaF treatment, while vitamin B₁₂ supplementation had ameliorative effect against these adverse changes. The results suggest that vitamin B₁₂ plays a protective role against NaF-induced oxidative damage in testis and suggests the possibility of this vitamin as a potential nutritional strategy in the treatment of fluoride-induced testicular dysfunction.