EJMS

Abstract

Introduction: Formaldehyde is a volatile colorless and irritant aldehyde widely used in many industrial fields (e.g. paint industry and food preservation) and medical fields. When it gains access to the body it interacts with various cell components as lipids of cell membranes and proteins of the cytoplasm and the nucleus either directly or through release of free radicals. Zinc is an integral component of many metalloproteins, which are essential for the catalysis of a wide variety of cellular enzymatic activities involved in various biological processes controlling cell growth and proliferation. Moreover, zinc is essential for reproduction due to its pivotal role in germ cell development. In addition, zinc has antioxidant activity through the catalysis of superoxide dismutase. Aim of work: to elucidate the possible protective role of zinc chloride on formaldehyde-induced histological alterations in rat testis. Material and methods: The current study used fifty adult male albino rats with their weight within the range of 175-220 g. They were divided into five groups; Group I (Control group): The rats of this group received nothing other than food and water. Group II (Formaldehyde administration for two weeks): Rats of this group received intraperitoneal injection of formaldehyde at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight once every other day for two weeks. Group III (Formaldehyde administration for six weeks): Rats of this group received formaldehyde injection intaperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight once every other day for six weeks. Group IV (Formaldehyde for two weeks and zinc chloride co-administration): Rats of this group were injected with formaldehyde intaperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight once every other day for two weeks, with co-supplementation by 20 mg/kg zinc chloride by oral gavage. Group V (Formaldehyde for six weeks and zinc chloride co-administration): This group received intraperitoneal formaldehyde injection at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight once every other day for six weeks, with co-supplementation by 20 mg/kg zinc chloride by oral gavage. Results: Examination of specimens of groups II and III, revealed loss of normal architecture, thickening of tunica albuginea and basement membranes of seminiferous tubules, interstitial exudate, marked vascular congestion, atrophy of seminiferous tubules as well as marked collagen deposition in the testis. Rats of groups IV and V treated with zinc chloride showed marked improvement regarding all histological derangements that occurred as a consequence of formaldehyde injection.