Study of the effect of curcumin on sperm parameters dysfunction induced by cadmium in mice

Cadmium is a heavy metal and environmental pollutant, which induces male infertility. Curcumin as a major constituent of Curcuma longa with antioxidant property is able to reduce oxidative stress. This study was performed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on some sperm parameters in mice treated with cadmium chloride. In this experimental study, which was performed in Arak University in 2014, adult NMRI mice were divided into four groups: 1. Control 2. Cadmium chloride (5 mg/kg) 3. Curcumin (100 mg/kg) and 4. Curcumin + Cadmium chloride. The treatments were performed as a single dose. After 24 hours, epididymal spermatozoa from the different groups were used to evaluate sperm viability (Eosin-Nigrosin staining), acrosome integrity (Coomassie brilliant blue staining), and sperm plasma membrane integrity (Hypo-osmotic swelling test). The number of epididymal spermatozoa was counted according to World Health Organization guideline. The statistical significances were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s test. In all cases p<0.05 was considered significant. Cadmium chloride significantly decreased sperm viability, acrosome integrity, and plasma membrane integrity as well as sperm number compared to the control. In curcumin + cadmium chloride group, curcumin could significantly ameliorate the adverse effect of cadmium chloride on these sperm parameters. The results of this research showed that curcumin as a potent antioxidant was able to attenuate the adverse effect of cadmium chloride on some sperm parameters.