Protective effects of Allium cepa-fortified feed on testicular function alterations by potassium bromate-induced oxidative damage: an in vivo and in silico approach

Human infertility can arise from various factors including oxidative stress and endocrine disruptors. This study evaluated the protective effects of Allium cepa-fortified feed on testicular function alterations caused by oxidative damage by KBrO3. HPLC-characterized compounds of Allium cepa were docked against androgen receptor protein (2PIP). Thirty male Wistar rats with an average weight of 200 ± 0.5 g were randomly grouped into six: positive control which received KBrO3 and regular rat chow, negative control was fed only regular chow, and experimental groups received KBrO3 along with 10%, 20%, and 30% of Allium cepa-fortified chow, respectively. The animals were euthanized after 14 days, and the testes were extracted for biochemical assays. There was a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in organ-body weight and protein concentration in the positive control compared to treatment groups and negative control. Additionally, there was a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in SOD and ALP activity in the positive control group compared with the negative control and treatment groups. The concentration of MDA significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in the treatment groups and the negative control compared with that in the positive control. Testicular germ cells showed reduced proliferation and inadequate differentiation in the positive control group compared with the treatment and negative control groups. Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, testosterone, and quercetin showed the highest binding energies to the androgen receptor protein. The bioactive components of Allium cepa counteract the generation of free radicals caused by KBrO3 and obstruct the access of endocrine disruptors to endocrine receptors, thereby mitigating oxidative damage. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2024.