Lycopene partially ameliorates alcohol-induced sperm dysfunction and testicular toxicity in male Wistar rats

Alcohol consumption predisposes one to various hazards like reproductive toxicity. Lycopene, a carotenoid with antioxidant capacity credited with the ability to decrease oxidative stress has been reportedly used to ameliorate reproductive damage in experimental animals. This research investigated the mitigating abilities of lycopene administration on reproductive toxicity caused by alcohol in male Wistar rats. Twenty male Wistar rats (150–180 g) were grouped as follows: 1 (control; 3 mL/kg 1% tween 80), 2 (Alcohol; Alc 3.2 g/kg of 30% v/v), 3 (lycopene; Lyc10 mg/kg) and 4 (Alc + Lyc). They were orally treated for 35 days and anaesthetized on day 36. Spermatozoa were profiled microscopically. 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, Caspase-3 activities, BcL-2 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were evaluated using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were spectrophotometrically determined and testicular histopathology was assessed. Data derived was statistically analysed, expressed as Mean ± standard error of mean (Mean ± SEM) and compared using one way analysis of variance followed by Waller-Duncan’s post-hoc test. Alcohol caused an increase in abnormal morphology of spermatozoa. It also caused an increase in MDA concentration, Caspase-3 and IL-1β expression while a decrease in SOD, catalase activities and zinc level were observed. In addition, alcohol exposure caused histopathological changes within the testicular tissue. However, lycopene administration ameliorated all the observed deleterious changes induced by alcohol exposure. Lycopene improved sperm morphology, testicular catalase activity and zinc level, lowered MDA level, Caspase 3 and interleukin 1 expression and reversed testicular histopathology in rats subjected to damages caused by alcohol. Not applicable.