title: Egg white-derived peptides prevent male reproductive dysfunction induced by mercury in rats.
abstract: Oxidative stress in known to contribute to the male reproductive dysfunction induced by mercury (Hg). Our study tested the hypothesis that the egg white hydrolysate (EWH), a potent antioxidant in vitro, is able to prevent the effects of prolonged Hg exposure on male reproductive system in rats. For this, rats were treated for 60 days with: a) Untreated - saline solution (i.m.); b) Hydrolysate - EWH (1 g/kg/day, gavage); c) Mercury - HgCl2(1st dose 4.6 μg/kg, subsequent doses 0.07 μg/kg/day, i.m.); d) Hydrolysate-Mercury. At the end of the treatment, sperm motility, count and morphological studies were performed; Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant capacity, histological and immunohistochemical assays on testis and epididymis were also carried out. As results, HgCl2-treatment decreased sperm number, increased sperm transit time in epididymis and impaired sperm morphology. However, these harmful effects were prevented by EWH. HgCl2-treatment also increased ROS levels, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity in testis and epididymis as well as promoted testicular inflammation and histological changes in epididymis. EWH improved histological and immunohistochemical alterations, probably due to its antioxidant property. In conclusion, the EWH could represent a powerful natural alternative to protect the male reproductive system against Hg-induced sperm toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Pampa, BR 472, Km 592, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danize Aparecida
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rizzetti
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Pampa, BR 472, Km 592, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline Silveira
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Pampa, BR 472, Km 592, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alyne Goulart
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Escobar
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Pampa, BR 472, Km 592, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Taiz Martins
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Histology Laboratory, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Antenas S/n, Alcorcón, Spain.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Uranga-Ocio
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Pampa, BR 472, Km 592, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Franck Maciel
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Peçanha
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Electromechanical and Vascular Reactivity Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Marechal Campos, 1468, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dalton Valentim
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Vassallo
authors.affiliation: Bioactivity and Food Analysis Laboratory, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación, Nicolás Cabrera, 9, Campus Universitario de Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta Miguel
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Pampa, BR 472, Km 592, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address: giuliawp@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Giulia Alessandra
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Wiggers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004529:Egg White / Q000737:chemistry*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity*; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Antioxidant property; Functional food; Male reproductive dysfunction; Mercury; Oxidative stress; Sperm quality