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Euterpe oleracea (Martius) Oil Reverses Testicular Alterations Caused after Cadmium Administration

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Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant that induces reproductive toxicity by generating reactive oxygen species, which leads to oxidative stress. Euterpe oleracea fruits are known for being rich in oils containing triacylglycerol and phenolic compounds. They are considered as potent antioxidants to be used to counteract Cd effects within the testis. In the present study, adult males Swiss mice were treated with CdCl2 aqueous solution (4.28 mg/kg) by gavage for 7 days. The experimental groups were treated with Euterpe oleracea oil at the doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, for 42 days. The results showed that Cd intoxication led to increased tubular pathologies, such as reduction in epithelium height and area thus increasing both luminal diameter and tubule-epithelium ratio. Besides, Leydig cell’s morphometry indicated reduction in nucleus and cytoplasm volumes of this cell type, which were recovered after E. oleracea oil intake. In addition, serum testosterone levels, testicular Mn and Zn concentrations, SOD and CAT activity, and germ cell viability increased after oil intake. Therefore, E. oleracea oil showed a regenerative effect in the testicular parenchyma negatively affected by Cd, mainly in the animals that received the highest oil concentration (150 mg/kg).

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and the Coordenadoria de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for fellowships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departament of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Viviane Gorete Silveira Mouro, Ana Luíza Pereira Martins, Jerusa Maria de Oliveira & Sérgio Luis Pinto da Matta

  2. Departament of Animal Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Fabiana Cristina Silveira Alves de Melo, Mariella Bontempo Duca de Freitas & Sérgio Luis Pinto da Matta

  3. Departament of Structural Biology, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Marcos de Lucca Moreira Gomes

  4. Departament of Chemistry, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Antônio Jacinto Demuner

  5. Departament of Biochemistry, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    João Paulo Viana Leite

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  1. Viviane Gorete Silveira Mouro
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  2. Fabiana Cristina Silveira Alves de Melo
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Mouro, V.G.S., de Melo, F.C.S.A., Martins, A.L.P. et al. Euterpe oleracea (Martius) Oil Reverses Testicular Alterations Caused after Cadmium Administration. Biol Trace Elem Res 197, 555–570 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-02004-x

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