Effect of Solanum betaceum Cav. extract on malondialdehyde, testosterone, and Sertoli cells in lead acetate-induced mice

Context: Lead exposure has been scientifically associated with male infertility with an unclear cause. According to studies, lead exposure has a significant association with infertility in both women and men. Lead that is ingested or inhaled and enters the body can increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), which affect sperm quality. Aims: To evaluate the effects of Solanum betaceum extract on malondialdehyde (MDA), testosterone, and Sertoli cells in lead acetate-induced mice. Methods: 40 male mice weighing 25–30 grams and aged 12–16 weeks were used in this study. In addition, this study is an experimental study with a randomly allocated posttest-only control group design. For 35 days, mice were randomly divided into five groups: K- (the negative control group, distilled water), K+ (the positive control group, lead administration only), P1 (administered with 100 mg/kg BW S. betaceum extract), P2 (administered with 200 mg/kg BW S. betaceum extract), P3 (administered with 400 mg/kg BW S. betaceum extract). On day 36, mice were sacrificed, and the testicular tissues were taken. These tissues were then examined for their MDA levels through an ELISA test and for the number of their Sertoli cells through a histological study. Simultaneously, 3 mL of blood were drawn from the hearts of mice to be analyzed for the testosterone level by an ELISA test. Results: This study showed that although S. betaceum could not significantly affect MDA level (p>0.05), it could significantly affect testosterone level and Sertoli cells. Conclusion: The administration of S. betaceum was able to protect the Sertoli cells and testosterone in mice induced with lead acetate.