Gallic acid and omega-3 fatty acids mitigate epididymal and testicular toxicity in manganese-treated rats

Environmental contamination by manganese is correlated with diverse health outcomes plus reproductive dysfunction. Dietary gallic acid (GA) and omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3-FA) are well reported to elicit beneficial health effects. Though, information on GA and omega-3-FA effects on manganese-induced reproductive toxicity is absent in literature. We examined the effect of GA or omega-3-FA on manganese-induced epididymal and testicular toxicity in rats, exposed to manganese (15 mg/kg b.w.) alone, in combination with GA (30 mg/kg b.w.) or omega-3-FA (20 mg/kg b.w.) by gavage for 14 consecutive days. GA or omega-3-FA significantly (p < .05) prevented manganese-mediated increase in lipid peroxidation, myeloperoxidase activity, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production but increased antioxidant enzymes activities and glutathione level in epididymis and testes treated rats. GA or omega-3-FA enhanced the activities of testicular function marker enzymes, namely acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in the treated rats. GA or omega-3-FA amelioration of manganese-induced decreases in follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, and testosterone levels were complemented by increase (p < .05) sperm functional characteristics in treated rats. Conclusively, GA or omega-3-FA may serve as dietary supplements to improve male reproductive dysfunction associated with manganese toxicity.