Curcumin ameliorates aflatoxin-induced toxicity in mice spermatozoa.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the ameliorative effect of curcumin on aflatoxin-induced toxicity in mice spermatozoa.


METHODS
Prospective controlled animal study.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Young, inbred, Swiss-strain male albino mice (Mus musculus), weighing approximately 37 to 40 g, were obtained from Cadila Health Care, Ahmedabad, India.


METHODS
Aflatoxin was orally administered in 25 (low dose) and 50 (high dose) microg/0.2 mL olive oil to each animal, each day (750 and 1500 microg/kg body weight), respectively, with and without curcumin for 45 days. On 46th day the animals were killed by cervical dislocation. The cauda epididymis were removed and weighed, then was teased in normal saline to obtain spermatozoa.


METHODS
Sperm count, viability, and motility were assessed immediately. Sperm semidried smears were prepared on slides and stained by Papanicolaou stain to study sperm morphologic features.


RESULTS
There was a dose-dependent spermicidal effect of aflatoxin. Sperm count, viability, and motility were statistically significantly reduced. Different morphologic abnormalities were encountered. Treatment with curcumin along with aflatoxin ameliorated aflatoxin-induced sperm count, immobilization, and viability, and improved the morphologic characteristics of the sperm.


CONCLUSIONS
Curcumin has an ameliorative effect on sperm parameters and improves morphologic features of sperm in mice.
Mathuria
Neeta
N
Department of Zoology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India.
Verma
Ramtej Jayram
RJ
D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D000348:Aflatoxins; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003474:Curcumin