D-RIBOSE-L-CYSTEINE REGIMEN CORRECTS FORMALDEHYDE-INDUCED TESTICULAR PERTURBATION IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Reports of declining sperm counts over the past 50 years and other disturbing trends alerted scientists to the possibility that exposure to chemicals in the environment may damage male reproductive health. The aim of this study was is to investigate the possible hazard effects of formaldehyde (FA) and the possible therapeutic potential of D-Ribose-L-Cysteine (Ribcys) on key reproductive indices and cyto-architecture of male mice testes. Twenty eight (28) adult male Swiss albino mice weighing between 70-80g were assigned into four groups; A, B, C and D with each group containing seven mice. Group A animals served as control, animals in group B were administered with 5 mg/kg body weight (bwt) of FA, animals in group C received 5 mg/kg of FA and 30 mg/kg bwt of Ribcys concomitantly, while group D animals were treated with only 30mg/kg bwt of Ribcys. All compounds were administered for 14 days. This study showed that formaldehyde treatment altered key semen parameters (sperm count, motility, and morphology) and caused testicular damage mainly by increasing ROS generation and promoting oxidative stress in the testes. Results from this study demonstrate a significant depletion of the collagen content of the testes following formaldehyde treatment. Ribcys treatment maintained the levels of key antioxidant markers (Determination of Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and semen quality. Also, serum testosterone level in mice treated with Ribcys increased significantly (p<0.05) in comparison to formaldehyde treated mice. In addition, the cytoarchitecture of the testes of Ribcys treated animals appeared better structured and similar to that of the control group with little or no degenerative changes when compared to the formaldehyde group. D-Ribose-L-Cysteine has potent antioxidant properties and could provide therapeutic defense.