open access

Vol 80, No 2 (2021)
Original article
Submitted: 2020-06-06
Accepted: 2020-06-29
Published online: 2020-07-08
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Hypothyroidism: morphological and metabolic changes in the testis of adult albino rat and the amelioration by alpha-lipoic acid

A. A. Ibrahim1, N. A. Mohammed2, K. A. Eid3, M. M. Abomughaid4, A. M. Abdelazim54, A. M. Aboregela16
·
Pubmed: 32644186
·
Folia Morphol 2021;80(2):352-362.
Affiliations
  1. Human Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
  2. Medical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
  3. House Officer, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
  4. Laboratory Medical Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia
  5. Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
  6. Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia

open access

Vol 80, No 2 (2021)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2020-06-06
Accepted: 2020-06-29
Published online: 2020-07-08

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of carbimazole- induced hypothyroidism on the testes of adult albino rats and the probable protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). Materials and methods: The rats were divided into four groups; control group, ALA group, carbimazole, and carbimazole + ALA groups. Rats were exposed to ALA (60 mg/kg body weight) or carbimazole (1.35 mg/kg body weight), or both, administered via gavages for 30 days. Results: Morphometric analysis revealed a significant decrease in tubular diameter, germinal epithelium thickness, and interstitial space as compared to the controls. Also, rats exposed to carbimazole showed a significant decline in testicular weight, sperm motility, and count. Additionally, deterioration of the testicular architecture was observed. ALA supplementation resulted in a significant improvement in the tubular diameter and germinal epithelium thickness, but no significant improvement regarding interstitial space was observed. Another observation was the significant decline in serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the carbimazole group, indicating reduced steroidogenesis. A significant reduction in reduced glutathione content was detected in the testes of the carbimazole group compared with the controls, while malonaldehyde concentration significantly increased. Conversely, ALA supplementation ameliorated the toxicity induced by hypothyroidism as illustrated by enhanced reproductive organ weights, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and FSH levels, testicular steroidogenesis, and oxidative stress parameters. Conclusions: Hypothyroidism altered testicular antioxidant balance and negatively affected spermatogenesis. On the other hand, ALA through its antioxidant properties alleviated testicular toxicity in carbimazole-exposed rats.

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of carbimazole- induced hypothyroidism on the testes of adult albino rats and the probable protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). Materials and methods: The rats were divided into four groups; control group, ALA group, carbimazole, and carbimazole + ALA groups. Rats were exposed to ALA (60 mg/kg body weight) or carbimazole (1.35 mg/kg body weight), or both, administered via gavages for 30 days. Results: Morphometric analysis revealed a significant decrease in tubular diameter, germinal epithelium thickness, and interstitial space as compared to the controls. Also, rats exposed to carbimazole showed a significant decline in testicular weight, sperm motility, and count. Additionally, deterioration of the testicular architecture was observed. ALA supplementation resulted in a significant improvement in the tubular diameter and germinal epithelium thickness, but no significant improvement regarding interstitial space was observed. Another observation was the significant decline in serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the carbimazole group, indicating reduced steroidogenesis. A significant reduction in reduced glutathione content was detected in the testes of the carbimazole group compared with the controls, while malonaldehyde concentration significantly increased. Conversely, ALA supplementation ameliorated the toxicity induced by hypothyroidism as illustrated by enhanced reproductive organ weights, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and FSH levels, testicular steroidogenesis, and oxidative stress parameters. Conclusions: Hypothyroidism altered testicular antioxidant balance and negatively affected spermatogenesis. On the other hand, ALA through its antioxidant properties alleviated testicular toxicity in carbimazole-exposed rats.

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Keywords

alpha-lipoic acid, carbimazole, hypothyroidism, testis, rat

About this article
Title

Hypothyroidism: morphological and metabolic changes in the testis of adult albino rat and the amelioration by alpha-lipoic acid

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 80, No 2 (2021)

Article type

Original article

Pages

352-362

Published online

2020-07-08

Page views

1888

Article views/downloads

2254

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2020.0071

Pubmed

32644186

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2021;80(2):352-362.

Keywords

alpha-lipoic acid
carbimazole
hypothyroidism
testis
rat

Authors

A. A. Ibrahim
N. A. Mohammed
K. A. Eid
M. M. Abomughaid
A. M. Abdelazim
A. M. Aboregela

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