Abstract

Docetaxel, an antineoplastic alkylating agent used to treat different types of cancer, exhibits adverse effects on testis and sperm cells. This study aimed at investigating possible protective roles of rutin against testicular and reproductive impairment caused by treatment with docetaxel in Wistar albino rats. Thirty-five male rats randomly divided into five groups (n = 7), received the following per kg body weight for 14 days: Control (physiological saline – 1 ml/kg), single dose docetaxel (30 mg/kg), rutin(100 mg/kg), low-dose rutin (50 mg/kg) + docetaxel (30 mg/kg) and high dose rutin (100 mg/kg) + docetaxel (30 ng/kg). Body and testis weight, sperm count, motility and viability, and serum levels of sex hormones were evaluated in treated rats. Docetaxel significantly decreased final body weights of rats and percentage sperm count and motility, while increasing abnormal sperm cells. Testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels were also affected by docetaxel treatment. Pre-treatment with rutin restored percentage sperm count, motility and preserved the morphological integrity of sperm cells. Rutin also positively modulated the compromised serum hormone levels observed in docetaxel-treated rats in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, rutin holds potential to preserve testicular function and sperm parameters negatively affected in patients undergoing chemo therapy with docetaxel.