Effects of pomegranate peel extract on the reproductive tract complications of sodium selenite in immature male rats

Background: Oxidative stress is one of the main causes of cataract and can be induced by selenite administration in rats. In experimentally induced cataract, sodium selenite may affect the reproductive system in young animals because of induction of oxidation condition. Methods: Sixty-four male 8-day-old Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups: control; pomegranate peel extract (PPE) 500 mg/kg; sodium selenite 30 μmol/kg; PPE and sodium selenite simultaneously on day 8; and PPE on day 6 and sodium selenite on day 8. A histopathological study was performed after 4 weeks. Results: Cataract was induced in all treated rats with selenite sodium. The volume and weight of the right and left testicles, the weight of the right and left epididymis, and the weight of the Cowper's gland, seminal vesicles, and prostate were significantly different between the sodium selenite group and other groups. On the other hand, the histopathological examination revealed tissue damage, interstitial edema, and the degeneration of spermatogenic cells in seminiferous tubules in the group which had received sodium selenite. There was a significant difference in all of the morphometric parameters of the genital system in rats, except the weight of the prostate between the PPE group and PPE and sodium selenite simultaneously group. Conclusion: The consumption of PPE improves the testis pathology indices in immature male rats with cataract induced by sodium selenite.