Pyrethroid cyhalothrin (PC) is an insecticide that is used worldwide for pest control in agriculture and household use. Samoa extract (SE) is a potent antioxidant protecting cells from oxidative stress. The present study investigates the protective and therapeutic effect of SE on PC-induced changes in sperm quality in male rats. Fifty adult male albino rats were divided into five groups: group I: served as control; group II: received PC i.p. only (6.2 mg/kg b.wt.); group III: received SE only (100 mg/kg b.wt., p.o.) for eight weeks; group IV: received SE as a protective agent daily for eight weeks, then followed by the administration of PC (i.p.) three times a week for two weeks; group V: exposed to PC (i.p.) three times a week for two weeks, then treated with the SE daily for 8 weeks. Results showed that PC caused markedly impaired sperm quality (a count, viability, motility, and abnormality). Compared to PC-treated animals, SE in the protective group markedly restored the alteration of sperm indices. However, SE in the curative group was found to be less effective in restoring PC-induced alterations. In conclusion, the data of this study revealed that the SE as a protective agent is more effective than as a therapeutic agent.
Keywords: Samoa; Pyrethroid; Sperm quality; Rat
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