Protective effect of propolis against aluminum chloride-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the toxic effects of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on the reproductive organs, as well as, the protective effect of propolis against AlCl3-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. Eighty adult male fertile Sprague Dawley albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of 20 each. Group 1: served as control group and received only distilled water. Group 2: received a daily ingestion of 80 mg/kg of AlCl3. Group 3: received a daily ingestion of 200 mg/kg of an ethanol extract of propolis. Group 4: received a daily ingestion of 80 mg/kg of AlCl3 in addition to 200 mg/kg of an ethanol extract of propolis. The duration of experiment was six weeks. At the end of the experiment, the testes, seminal vesicles, prostate glands and epididymides were dissected out, and weighed. Sperm characteristics were evaluated and plasma testosterone level was estimated. There were no significant changes between the control and the propolis-treated group. AlCl3-treated group showed a highly significant decrease in the index weights of testes and prostate glands, a highly significant lower sperm count, motility and viability, a highly significant increase in the number of abnormal sperms, as well as, a highly significant decrease in serum testosterone level (p < 0.001), compared to control. Rats of AlCl3+propolis-treated group showed a highly significant improvement in all previous alterations. In conclusion, propolis appeared to ameliorate AlCl3-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.