Green Tea Extract Mitigates Cigarette Smoke-Induced Sperm Damage in Mus musculus: A Dose-Dependent Study

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of green tea extract (GTE) on sperm concentration and abnormalities in Mus musculus exposed to cigarette smoke, focusing on its dose-dependent antioxidant properties. Methods: Twenty-five male Mus musculus (12 weeks, 20–25 g) were divided into five groups (n=5): negative control (C-, 0.5 mL 1% Na-CMC, no smoke), positive control (C+, smoke-exposed, 0.5 mL 1% Na-CMC), and three GTE-treated groups (T1, T2, T3; 20, 40, 60 mg/kg body weight, smoke-exposed). GTE was administered daily via oral gavage for 36 days, and smoke exposure involved 20-min sessions with a clove cigarette (2.2-mg nicotine). On day 37, sperm from the cauda epididymis were analyzed for concentration using a hemocytometer and abnormalities via eosin-negrosin staining at 400x magnification. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test. Results: Cigarette smoke significantly reduced sperm concentration in C+ (3.22 ± 0.67 million/mm³) compared to C- (7.15 ± 0.43 million/mm³) and increased abnormalities (59.2 ± 4.21% vs. 13.5 ± 2.90%). GTE dose-dependently improved sperm concentration (T1: 4.37 ± 0.31; T2: 5.61 ± 0.49; T3: 6.87 ± 0.36 million/mm³) and reduced abnormalities (T1: 40.9 ± 3.77%; T2: 32.7 ± 1.80%; T3: 19.4 ± 2.43%), with T3 nearing C- levels (p < 0.05). Conclusions: GTE, particularly at 60 mg/kg, effectively mitigates cigarette smoke-induced sperm damage in Mus musculus, likely via antioxidant mechanisms, suggesting its potential as a protective agent against reproductive toxicity.