Reduction of Bisphenol A-induced Male Reproductive Toxicity by Bromelain in Mice

Abstract

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting agent with a weak estrogenic effect. BPA causes testicular damage by reducing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Bromelain (BROM) is a natural compound derived from pineapple, which is widely used as a dietary supplement with antioxidant properties. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of BROM on the testicular damage induced by BPA administration. Methods: This study was conducted on 40 adult male mice, which were divided into four groups of control (daily treatment with olive oil), BPA (600 mg/kg), BROM (70 mg/kg), and BPA + BROM. The treatments were administered orally for 35 consecutive days. Following that, the animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation, their testes were dissected, and morphometric evaluations (length, width, and thickness of testis) were performed. The epididymal tail was cut to release the sperms for sperm parameter assessment (count and motility). Afterwards, the testes were fixed in buffered formalin for histological examinations (number, diameter, and wall thickness of seminiferous tubules and the counts of spermatogenic, Sertoli, and Leydig cells). Results: All the indices of testicular morphology decreased significantly (P < 0.05) following BPA administration compared to the controls. In addition, the sperm parameters and Leydig and Sertoli cell counts indicated significant decremental effects on the animals administered with BPA compared to the controls (P < 0.05). After the administration of BROM in the BPA + BROM group, all the testicular morphometric indices increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to the animals administered with BPA alone. These indices were the morphometric values of the testes, sperm parameters, cell counts, and seminiferous morphometric properties. Conclusions: According to the results, BROM could reduce the debilitative effects of BPA on the testes of the mice and protect the reproductive health of the animals against BPA-induced toxicity.