An in vitro study on reproductive toxicity of aluminium chloride on rabbit sperm: The protective role of some antioxidants

An in vitro study using rabbit sperm was designed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) at 0, 2 and 4 h of incubation on sperm motility and viability, oxidative status and the activities of some antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)), transaminases and acid phosphatase. The role of vitamin C (1 mM) or vitamin E (2 mM) was also investigated in counteracting deterioration caused by AlCl3 on the tested parameters. Rabbit sperm was incubated with different concentrations of AlCl3 (0, 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mM) with or without vitamin C or vitamin E for 2 and 4 h. Results revealed that the percentage of motile and viable sperm decreased significantly after AlCl3 treatment at 10, 15 and 20 mM and the response was both concentration and time dependent. Aluminium chloride at concentrations of 10, 15 and 20 mM caused significant induction of oxidative stress as evidenced by increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and inhibition in the activities of SOD and CAT. Increase in the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) and decline in the activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) were also observed at AlCl3 concentrations of 15 and 20 mM. Co-incubation with either vitamin C or vitamin E resulted in marked degrees of protection against AlCl3-induced cytotoxic effects, represented in decreased TBARS levels and restoration of enzymes activities near control. On the other hand, no significant effect was exerted from vitamin C or vitamin E on motility and viability. The present study demonstrated that AlCl3 caused deterioration in sperm motility and viability, enhancement of free radicals and alterations in enzymes activities. The antioxidants revealed protective effects against the cytotoxicity of AlCl3.