Molecular Genetic, Cytogenetic and Sperm Studies on the Protective and Therapeutic Role of Vinasse against Toxicity of Lead Acetate in Mice

The present study was carried out to evaluate the role of vinasse as a protective or therapeutic agent against lead acetate toxicity. Six groups of mice (8 mice each) were used. The mice groups involved normal control fed basal diet, positive control fed basal diet polluted with lead acetate (0.87 g/kg diet) for three weeks, the third and fourth groups fed basal diet containing vinasse at low (7.5 %) or high (9.5 %) levels (used as a protective agent) along treatment with lead acetate, the fifth and sixth groups fed basal diet containing vinasse at the same dose for two weeks (as a therapeutic agent). after cessation of lead acetate. treatment. Molecular genetic, cytogenetic and sperm analysis were investigated. The results revealed in mice fed diet containing lead acetate high significant elevation of proportions of DNA fragmentation, genetic polymorphism in DNA of RAPD-PCR profiles, MNPCE, chromosome aberrations and sperm shape abnormalities as well. as significant reduction of sperm count as compared to control group. Vinasse treatment as a protective or therapeutic agent significantly decreased the genetic alterations and sperm-shape abnormalities an significantly increased the sperm count in comparison with treatment of lead acetate alone. Better results were obtained by using basal diets supplemented with vinasse along treatment (as a protective agent) with lead acetate especially the vinasse treatment with high dose (9.5 %). In conclusion: the present study proves that the supplementation of vinasse to animal diets is a potent protective agent against genotoxicity induced by pollution with lead acetate. Where the use of this by-product had capability for reducing DNA damage, polymorphism of RAPD-PCR, cytogenetic changes, and sperm-shape abnormalities and ameliorating the sperm count.