Protective Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Rat Sperm and Testicular Tissue after Exposure to Diazinon

Diazinon (DZN) is an organophosphate insecticide that causes a wide range of pathological effects on the male reproductive system, disturbances in sperm production and quality, and fertility problems. This study investigated the protective effect of coenzyme Q10 treatment on sperm quality, oxidant/antioxidant system, and histopathology of testicular tissue in male rats after exposure to diazinon. This experimental study was carried out on 16 adult male Wistar albino rats with an approximate weight of 150 to 230 gr, which were obtained from the animal care center.The animals were randomly divided into four groups (n=4) and were tested by intraperitoneal injection for 30 days which including the diazinon exposure group (50 mg/kg of diazinon dissolved in sesame oil intraperitoneally injected), the coenzyme Q10 and diazinon exposure group (50 mg/kg of diazinon and 10 mg/kg of coenzyme Q10 dissolved in sesame oil intraperitoneally injected), group of coenzyme Q10 (10 mg/kg of coenzyme Q10 dissolved in sesame oil intraperitoneally injected), and the control group (1.5 mg/kg of sesame oil intraperitoneally injected). After treating coenzyme Q10 with diazinon, a significant increase in the number and motility of sperm and a decrease in sperm mortality were observed (P<0/05). Exposure to diazinon with coenzyme Q10 treatment was able to decrease the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increase the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) compared to the diazinon group (P<0/05). Simultaneous exposure to diazinon and coenzyme Q10 treatment led to a decrease in testicular histopathological damage after exposure to diazinon. It seems that coenzyme Q10 can have a good protective effect against oxidative damage in the male reproductive system caused by exposure to diazinon.