β-Glucan and resveratrol mitigate lead induced reproductive toxicity in male mice.

Abstract

Despite extensive research on lead (Pb) toxicity's detrimental effects on male reproductive health, its precise mechanisms remain elusive, and the synergistic protective effects of resveratrol (RSV) and β-glucan (βG) on fertility parameters are underexplored. This study investigates their combined efficacy against Pb-induced reproductive toxicity in male mice. Forty 6-8-week-old mice were randomly divided into five groups: Group I (Control): received normal saline; Group II (Pb): received lead acetate (50 mg/kg); Group III (Pb + RSV): received Pb and RSV (20 mg/kg); Group IV (Pb + βG): received Pb and βG (50 mg/kg); Group V (Pb + RSV + βG): received Pb, RSV, and βG. Mice received treatments for 35 days. Sperm parameters (count, motility, viability, DNA damage), oxidative stress markers (TAC, SOD, GPx, MDA), hormone levels (testosterone, LH, FSH), testicular histopathology, and apoptosis-related gene expression (Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3) were evaluated. The Pb + RSV + βG group, compared to the Pb-only group, showed a 61.5% increase in sperm motility, 68.1% reduction in sperm DNA damage, and 87.2% increase in sperm count. It also exhibited a 63.9% reduction in MDA levels and increased TAC, SOD, and GPx levels. Hormone levels and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression increased, while Bax and caspase-3 decreased significantly. These preclinical findings suggest that RSV and βG may mitigate Pb-induced reproductive toxicity in mice via antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.