Effects of Sesame Seed Oil on the Testes of Adult Male Wistar Rats Following Permethrin-Induced Toxicity

This study assessed the protective effects of sesame seed oil on the testes of adult male Wistar rats exposed to permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid known for its toxic impact on biological systems and its dosage-dependent inflammatory responses. Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Group A, received normal saline (0.5 ml/kg), Group B received mixed feed with 0.60% permethrin powder (1000 mg/kg of feed), Group C received sesame seed oil (5 ml/kg of animal body weight), and Group D received a combination of Groups B and C’s treatments. Following 28 days of treatment, the animals used for histological investigations were anaesthetized and transcardially perfused with Normal saline and 10% Formalin while those used for biochemical assays were cervically dislocated. Whole testicular organ and caudal epididymis excision was done with the former processed for tissue histology and biochemical assays, the later assayed for semen analysis. Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation was assessed via superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde with sex hormone status being assessed via Luteinizing hormone, Follicle stimulating hormone and Testosterone as biomarkers. Results showed that permethrin significantly reduced sperm count, motility, morphology, and vitality, indicating reproductive toxicity, testicular architecture was compromised, and oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation levels were elevated, as evidenced by increased levels of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde, along with reduced glutathione peroxidase levels. Hormonal imbalances were observed, including increased follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels and reduced testosterone, pointing to Leydig cell damage. However, sesame seed oil demonstrated protective effects by reversing oxidative stress markers, improving seminal parameters, and restoring testicular architecture.