ANTIOXIDANT EFFICACY OF VITAMIN E IN ATTENUATING BISPHENOL A–INDUCED FUNCTIONAL TESTICULAR IMPAIRMENT: A HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC RAT MODEL STUDY

Sadia Saqib; Nadia Haq; Raafea Tafweez; Ahmed Fawad Syami; Irfan Ali

doi:10.51642/ppmj.v37i02.832

Sadia Saqib Fatima Jinnah Medical University
Nadia Haq Services Institute of Medical Sciences
Raafea Tafweez Fatima Memorial Hospital
Ahmed Fawad Syami Government Mohammad Nawaz Sharif Hospital, Yakki Gate
Irfan Ali Mayo Hospital Lahore

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51642/ppmj.v37i02.832

Keywords: oxidative stress;, reproductive toxicity;, vitamin E therapy;

Abstract

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a pervasive environmental contaminant associated with male reproductive dysfunction.

Objectives: To investigate the functional and histomorphological restoration of testicular integrity following co-treatment with vitamin E in BPA-exposed Wistar rats.

Methods: Ninety adult male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=30 each): Group I (control), Group II (BPA 20 mg/kg), and Group III (BPA 20 mg/kg + vitamin E 100 mg/kg). Treatment lasted for six weeks via oral gavage.

Results: Morphometric analysis demonstrated significant differences among groups: seminiferous tubule diameter was reduced in BPA group (316.0 ± 22.2 µm) and restored in vitamin E group (346.3 ± 44.1 µm, p=0.003). Epithelial height also significantly improved from 51.0 ± 3.2 µm in Group II to 74.4 ± 14.6 µm in Group III (p<0.001). Testis-to-body-weight index was significantly higher in the co-treatment group (0.0151) compared to BPA-only rats (0.0149).

Conclusion: Leydig cell counts remained unchanged across groups (p=0.535), yet epithelial recovery indicated improved spermatogenic potential. These findings provide statistically validated evidence that vitamin E significantly mitigates BPA-induced structural testicular damage and supports its application in counteracting environmental toxicant exposure. The novel integration of morphometric and functional indicators reinforces the relevance of antioxidant therapy in reproductive health research.