Infertility is a global health burden which affect more than 15% of couples’ population. An impaired hormonal balance, oxidative stress and alteration in the physiological function of the reproductive organ are factors leading to infertility. The present study investigated the protective role of methanolic leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina (MLVA) against Nitrobenzene-induced oxidative testicular damage and hormonal imbalance in rats. Thirty sexually active male wistar rats were sorted into five groups, each group containing six rats. Group I received distilled water while 100 mg/kg bw of Nitrobenzene was administered to groups (II, III, IV and V) to induce testicular damage and hormonal imbalance. Group III and IV were treated with oral administration of 200 mg/kg bw and 400 mg/kg bw of MLVA respectively and group V with vitamin E for 14 days. Nitrobenzene-treated rats showed significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the body weight gain, testis and epididymis weights. However, upon administration of MLVA or vitamin E, these changes were significantly reversed in Nitrobenzene-treated rats. Also, Nitrobenzene significantly (P˂0.05) induced endocrine disruption as shown by decreased activities level of serum Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, triiodothyronine (T3), and tetraiodothyronine (T4). Administration of Nitrobenzene also induced oxidative damage as shown by increased level of testicular lipid peroxidation (MDA), and decreased levels of glutathione (GSH). Histological studies of the testes revealed mild congestion of interstitial vessels and oedema in rats administered Nitrobenzene only. Taken together, MLVA obliterated the adverse effects of Nitrobenzene on the antioxidant enzymes, markers of testicular oxidative damage, endocrine and testicular structure in rats.

中文翻译：

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硝基苯引起的激素破坏，类固醇生成途径的改变和大鼠的氧化损伤：扁桃体的保护作用

不孕是全球性的健康负担，影响超过15％的夫妻人口。荷尔蒙平衡受损，氧化应激和生殖器官生理功能改变是导致不育的因素。本研究调查了杏仁核的甲醇叶提取物（MLVA）对硝基苯诱导的大鼠氧化睾丸损伤和激素失衡的保护作用。将三十只有性活跃的雄性维斯塔大鼠分为五组，每组六只。I组接受蒸馏水，而II组，III组，IV组和V组给予100 mg / kg体重的硝基苯，以引起睾丸损伤和激素失衡。III组和IV组分别口服200 mg / kg bw和400 mg / kg bw的MLVA口服治疗，而V组则口服维生素E，治疗14天。硝基苯处理的大鼠的体重增加，睾丸和附睾重量显着降低（P <0.05）。但是，在服用MLVA或维生素E后，这些变化在硝基苯处理的大鼠中被显着逆转。此外，如血清甲状腺刺激激素（TSH），黄体生成激素（LH），卵泡刺激激素（FSH），催乳素，睾丸激素，三碘甲腺嘌呤（T3）和四碘甲状腺素（T4）。睾丸脂质过氧化（MDA）水平升高和谷胱甘肽（GSH）水平降低也表明，硝基苯的给药也会引起氧化损伤。睾丸的组织学研究表明，仅使用硝基苯的大鼠，间质血管轻度充血和水肿。