Abstract
Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a possible carcinogenic molecule for humans as classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2B group. In livestock, it is responsible for several mycotoxicoses and economic losses. Lactobacillus strains, inhabitants of a wide range of foodstuffs and the gastrointestinal tract, are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the protective effect of Lactobacillus paracasei (LP) against FB1-induced reprotoxicities including testicular histopathology, sperm quality disturbance, and testosterone level reduction.
Pubescent mice were divided randomly into four groups and treated for 10 days. Group 1: Control; Group 2: FB1 (100 μg/kg b.w); Group 3: LP (2 × 10
9
CFU/kg b.w); Group 4: LP (2 × 10
9
CFU/kg b.w) and FB1 (100 μg/kg b.w). After the end of the treatment, animals were sacrificed. Plasma, epididymis, and testis were collected for reproductive system studies.
Our results showed that FB1 altered epididymal sperm quality, generated oxidative stress, and induced histological alterations. Interestingly, these deleterious effects have been counteracted by the LP administration in mice.
In conclusion, LP was able to prevent FB1-reproductive system damage in BALB/c mice and could be validated as an anti-caking agent in an animal FB1-contaminated diet.