<i>N</i>‐Acetyl‐<scp>L</scp>‐Cysteine Mediated Attenuation of Cadmium Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Ovarian Antral Follicles In Vitro

Female fertility has been demonstrated to be directly correlated with cadmium, a heavy metal contaminant that is widely present in the environment. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a powerful antioxidant, has been shown to have therapeutic effects for a number of ailments. NAC's potential to prevent ovarian toxicity caused by Cd is still unknown. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the concentration- and time-dependent protective effect of NAC supplementation against Cd-induced granulosa cell toxicity in healthy caprine ovaries. The in vitro cultured ovaries/follicles were subjected to different cytotoxic (ethidium bromide and acridine orange [EB/AO] staining), histomorphological, and biochemical analyses during study. The results revealed that NAC treatment significantly attenuated the Cd-instigated cytotoxicity in granulosa cells, as evidenced by diminished apoptotic attributes in NAC co-supplemented groups compared to only Cd-exposed groups. Moreover, NAC markedly restored the decline in enzymatic activity of antioxidant enzymes (GST, SOD, and CAT), along with ferric reducing antioxidant power, further diminishing the formation of MDA in Cd exposed caprine ovary. The findings of this study indicated that Cd, being an ovarian toxicant, adversely affects the female reproductive system. However, simultaneous NAC administration significantly reduced the Cd-caused ovarian damage, indicating that NAC has therapeutic potential in controlling female gonadotoxicity due to gradually growing environmental Cd pollution.