Spirulina Platensis Attenuates Thiamethoxam-Induced Testicular Oxidative Injury and Reproductive Dysfunction in Male Wistar Rats Spirulina and thiamethoxam-associated testicular injury
International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine,
Vol. 16 (2026),
1 January 2026
,
Page 1-10
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijmtfm.v16.53776
Abstract
Background: Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid insecticide associated with experimental reproductive toxicity. This study evaluated whether antioxidant-rich Spirulina platensis attenuated thiamethoxam-associated biochemical, endocrine, sperm, and histological alterations in male rats.
Methods: We randomized 40 male Wistar rats into control, Spirulina, thiamethoxam, or combined-treatment groups (n = 10). We administered oral Spirulina (800 mg/kg body weight/day) and thiamethoxam (156 mg/kg body weight/day) for three weeks. We assessed testicular oxidative markers, reduced glutathione levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, serum reproductive hormone levels, epididymal sperm characteristics, and testicular histology.
Results: Thiamethoxam increased testicular lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide levels while decreasing glutathione levels and antioxidant enzyme activities. Testosterone levels decreased, whereas follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels increased. Sperm motility declined from 77.14% in controls to 18.71% following thiamethoxam exposure, and the proportion of abnormal sperm increased from 7.14% to 45.71%. Combined treatment improved motility to 42.57% and reduced abnormalities to 31.43%. Thiamethoxam disrupted seminiferous architecture and spermatogenic organization, with an apparent reduction in Sertoli and germ cells. Spirulina coadministration improved biochemical and endocrine profiles and partially preserved spermatogenesis, although residual degenerative changes remained. Spirulina alone preserved testicular morphology and caused only minor changes in hormones and sperm.
Conclusion: Spirulina partially attenuated thiamethoxam-associated testicular oxidative injury and reproductive dysfunction, supporting its protective potential under controlled experimental conditions.
- Thiamethoxam; Spirulina platensis; Oxidative stress; Spermatozoa
How to Cite
References
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