Biochemical and histological effects induced by sublethal dose of Naja Haje venom in testis of mice

Abstract EN

Naja haje snake venom is known to induce neurotoxicity and cytotoxicity.

The present work aimed to study the biochemical and histopathological changes in the testicular tissues of mice intramuscularly injected with the sublethal dose of the venom (approximately 0.0115 μg/g b.wt.) 6 days post venom injection.

Testicular tissues were obtained from control and envenomed mice for preparation of tissue homogenate or paraffin blocks.

Lipid peroxidation (LPO), carbonyl protein (CP), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels as well as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were biochemically evaluated in the testicular homogenate supernatant.

Testosterone (T) level was evaluated in mice blood plasma.

The results showed significant increase in the levels of LPO, CP, ROS and activity of SOD, besides significant decrease in NO, GSH and T levels and a non significant increase in H2O2 level.

Testicular tissues stained with hematoxylin and eosin revealed abnormal structure of the seminiferous tubules, disruption of spermatogenesis, vacuolar cytoplasmic degeneration of the spermatogenic epithelium and absence of late stages of spermatocytes.

It could be concluded that the sublethal dose of Naja haje venom induced significant changes in the testicular structure and function of the envenomed mice which might affect their fertility and sexual activities.