Published date:Mar 10 2025

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine

Issue title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 23, Issue No. 1

Pages:91 - 102

DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v23i1.18202

Ali NabiResearch and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd

Azam Hassanpour DehnaviDepartment of Anatomical Sciences and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd

Fahime MazaheriResearch and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd

Nastaran MomeniShahid Ramezanzadeh Radiation Therapy Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd

Habib NikukarBiotechnology Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd

Mahdie HematiDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd

Seyed Jalal HosseinimehrDepartment of Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari

Masoud ShabaniDepartment of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd

Fatemeh Sadeghian-NodoushanBiotechnology Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd

Javad Biabani-Ardakanijavadbiabani@ssu.ac.irResearch and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd

Background: Radiation-induced normal tissue damage remains a major concern in radiotherapy, particularly affecting rapidly dividing cells, including those in reproductive tissues. Developing effective radioprotective agents to mitigate this damage is crucial for preserving fertility.

Objective: The radioprotective effects of omeprazole (OMP) were investigated in adult male mice undergoing external radiation.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 adult male mice (30–35 gr, 6–8 wk old) were divided into 6 groups and orally administered OMP daily via oral gavage for 7 days before whole-body irradiation. On the 8^th day, mice were subjected to a single 6 Gray dose of 6 megavoltage X-ray radiation. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture for testosterone level evaluation, while testicular specimens were harvested post-euthanasia for sperm parameters assessment and histological analysis. Additionally, spermatogenic cell density was evaluated.

Results: Irradiation of 6 Gray X-ray to the testis of mice significantly affected sperm count, progressive motility, DNA fragmentation, the number of sperm with normal morphology, and the number of immotile sperm. Furthermore, administration of OMP improved progressive motility, DNA fragmentation, and sperm viability. Histopathological findings showed irradiation led to severe testicular atrophy with spermatogenic arrest and abnormal cytoarchitecture vacuolation and interstitial edema, while OMP treatment reversed relative radiation toxicity, especially in the 50 mg OMP treatment group.

Conclusion: In conclusion, OMP could act as an effective radioprotector against testicular damage following X-ray irradiation in an animal model. Further studies are needed to investigate OMP potential in protecting human testis tissue.

Keywords: Omeprazole, Ionizing radiation, Radioprotective, Radiotherapy, Testicular

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