title: Ameliorating effect of folic acid on chromium(VI)-induced changes in reproductive performance and seminal plasma biochemistry in male rabbits.
abstract: Chromium hexavalent (Cr(VI)) is a biologically active oxidized state of chromium. It is involved in the redox cycle, with the production of reactive oxygen species. Free radical scavenging properties and possible antioxidant activity of folic acid (FA) have been reported; therefore, the present study examined possible protective effects of FA on the reproductive toxicity of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) in male New Zealand white rabbits. We monitored reproductive performance, lipid peroxidation, enzyme activities and biochemical parameters in seminal plasma. Six rabbits per treatment group (and a control group) were exposed: 8.3 microg/kg FA; 5 mg/kg potassium dichromate (contains 3.6 mg chromium(VI)) and 5 mg/kg potassium dichromate+8.3 microg/kg FA. Results showed that semen quality deteriorated following potassium dichromate exposure. Testosterone levels, body weight (BW), relative weights of testes (RTW) and epididymis (REW) all decreased. Levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances increased, whereas the activities of glutathione S-transferase, transaminases and phosphatases decreased in the seminal plasma. FA alone significantly increased BW, RTW, REW, semen characteristics and seminal plasma enzymes, and decreased the levels of free radicals. Furthermore, FA can be effective in the protection of chromium-induced reproductive toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Studies, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Alexandria, 163, Horreya Avenue, P.O. Box 832, Alexandria 21526, Egypt. mokhtar_yousef@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mokhtar I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Yousef
authors.forename: Fatma M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: El-Demerdash
authors.forename: Kamil I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Kamil
authors.forename: Fathia A M
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Elaswad
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002857:Chromium / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011192:Potassium Dichromate / Q000633:toxicity; D011817:Rabbits; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012661:Semen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D002857:Chromium; C074702:chromium hexavalent ion; D013739:Testosterone; D005492:Folic Acid; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D011192:Potassium Dichromate