Abstract
Background: The current study aimed to elucidate the protective role of combined fenugreek and alpha-tocopherol against cadmium induced histopathological changes in the testes.
Materials and methods: Thirty adult male albino rats divided into three equal groups 10 rats each. Group I is the control group. Group II received 5 mg/kg/day cadmium chloride. Group III received 5 mg/kg/day cadmium chloride and 150 mg/kg/day fenugreek and 100 mg/kg/day of alpha-tocopherol. The treatment of all groups was done by oral gavage for 60 consecutive days. The testes were removed and subjected to histopathological and ultrastructure study.
Results: Rats exposed to cadmium showed severe histopathological changes in the testicular spermatogenic series, many vacuoles and multinucleated giant cells. Treatment with fenugreek and alpha-tocopherol partially improved the morphological changes, reduced tissue damage and rebuilt of the spermatogonia layer.
Conclusions: Fenugreek and alpha-tocopherol might represent a promising medicinal combination to ameliorate the toxic effects of cadmium exposure.