Investigating the Protective Effect of Thymoquinone on the Process of Spermatogenesis and Functional Indices of Sperm in White Rats Receiving Tricyclazole

Compounds with antioxidant properties such as thymoquinone (TQ) significantly prevent changes resulting from the effect of toxic chemicals such as tricyclazole on visceral organs. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to use thymoquinone to prevent the destructive effects of tricyclazole on the process of spermatogenesis in male rats. In this experimental study, 42 male rats were randomly divided into 7 groups including: control group (no drug), sham group (10% solution of Tween 80), tricyclazole (20 mg/kg) group, thymoquinone (10 mg/kg) group, thymoquinone (20 mg/kg) group, tricyclazole (20 mg/kg) + thymoquinone (10 mg/kg) group, and tricyclazole (20 mg/kg) + thymoquinone (20 mg/kg) group. At the end of the treatment period, by preparing tissue sections from the testis, the cells of the spermatogenesis pathway were evaluated per unit area. According to the findings, the average number and motility of sperm and the number of spermatogonial cells in the thymoquinone 20 and thymoquinone 10 groups showed a significant increase compared to the tricyclazole group (p < 0.05); However, the number of Leydig cells in the thymoquinone 20 and thymoquinone 10 groups showed a significant decrease compared to the tricyclazole group (p < 0.05). The results of the study showed that thymoquinone, as a strong antioxidant, can partially compensate for the toxicity caused by tricyclazole on the spermatogenesis process.