The effect of hydroalcoholic extract of flax seed (Linum Usitatissimum L.) on the fertility indices of male rats exposed to lead.

Background and Aims: Lead acetate has cytotoxic effects on testicular tissue.These effects can cause infertility in laboratory animals and humans.The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Flax seed extract and ascorbic acid on fertility indicators and histopathological changes of sperm and testes in male rats. Materials and Methods:This experimental study was conducted on 30 Wistar rats.The rats were randomly divided into five groups (6 rats per group), including the control, lead acetate recipient, lead acetate and Flax seed hydroalcoholic extract recipient, lead acetate and vitamin C recipient, as well as lead acetate, Flax seed, and vitamin C recipient.Following that, 50 mg/kg lead, vitamin C (300 mg/kg), and Flax seed (300 mg/kg) were administered orally by gavage for 35 days.The blood samples extracted from the heart and testicular tissue were routinely obtained.Results: Exposure to lead caused disruption in the morphological structure of spermatogenic tubules, including spermatogenic cell lines, compared to the control group.There was a significant difference in the percentage of head and tail violations in the treatment groups, compared to the control group.Moreover, sperm motility and progressive movement in the treatment groups showed a significant decrease, compared to the control group (P<0.01).Lead acetate also increased oxidative stress and decreased serum antioxidant capacity in all groups, compared to the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion:It seems that the use of vitamin C and hydroalcoholic extract of Linum Usitatissimum L. was not effective in preventing histopathological changes in rats exposed to lead acetate.