Lycopene ameliorates acrylamide-induced reproductive toxicity through enhancement in testicular antioxidant status and upregulation of androgen receptor expression in male Wistar rats

BACKGROUND: Acrylamide (ACR), a food contaminant, has been reported to exert adverse effects on the male reproductive system through increased oxidative stress and hormonal imbalance. This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative potentials of lycopene on reproductive parameters, oxidative stress, and expression of androgen receptors in acrylamide-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. METHODS: Thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 5). Groups I-VII were orally administered distilled water, olive oil, acrylamide (10 mg/kg), lycopene (5 mg/kg), lycopene (20 mg/kg), acrylamide+lycopene (5 mg/kg), and acrylamide+lycopene (20 mg/kg), respectively, for 8 weeks. Following the end of the experiment, the animals were fasted overnight, weighed, and euthanized. Blood was collected, centrifuged, and serum obtained. The testes were collected and used for sperm, biochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: The results revealed that acrylamide administration decreased sperm quality, resulted in oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, and reduced testicular androgen expression. However, lycopene significantly increased sperm count, viability, motility, serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone levels. Also, reduced testicular oxidative stress markers, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), and enhanced antioxidant enzymes, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were observed following lycopene administration. Treatment with lycopene upregulated the expression of testicular androgen receptors. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated the ameliorative potential of lycopene in acrylamide-induced reproductive toxicity by improving testicular antioxidant status, hormonal balance, spermatogenesis, and testicular androgen receptor expression in male Wistar rats.