Effects of Glyphosate on Reproductive Function and Oxidative Status in Male Rats: Protective Role of Ziziphus lotus Aqueous Leaf Extract

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the adverse reproductive effects of glyphosate (G) in male Wistar rats and the possible protective role of Ziziphus lotus (ZL) aqueous leaf extract. Animals were divided into four groups: control (CRL), glyphosate (G; 10 mg/kg/day), ZL (100 mg/kg/day), and G + ZL. Treatments were administered by gavage 5 days/week for 52 consecutive days. Blood, sperm samples, and testicular tissue were collected for hormone measurements, oxidative-status assessment, semen analysis, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry. Glyphosate significantly impaired semen characteristics, reducing spermatid number, sperm count, motility, viability, and testosterone levels while increasing sperm abnormalities, AOPP, and MDA levels. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations showed testicular gametogenic alterations, connective-tissue enlargement, and p53-positive cells. Co-administration of ZL attenuated several glyphosate-induced changes in semen quality, testosterone, AOPP, MDA, and testicular histology. These findings indicate a protective effect of ZL aqueous leaf extract against glyphosate-induced reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress in male rats...