Study on the protective effect of hydroalcoholic Olive Leaf extract (oleuropein) on the testis and sperm parameters in adult male NMRI mice exposed to Mancozeb

This study aimed to assess the protective effects of the Olive Leaf Extract (OLE) against Mancozeb (MZB)-induced reproductive damage in male NMRI mice. In this experimental study, NMRI mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n = 8) including 1: control, 2: MZB, 3: MZB + OLE (200 mg/kg), 4: MZB + OLE (400 mg/kg), 5: MZB + atropine (0.25 mg/kg), 6: OLE (200 mg/kg) and 7: OLE (400 mg/kg). Mice were sacrificed after 5 weeks, and blood samples were drawn to measure serum testosterone level. Sperm samples were collected and analyzed according to standard criteria. The left testis was removed to assess testicular parameters using H&E staining. The Protamine level and DNA fragmentation were determined by chromomycin A3 (CMA3) and SCD assays, respectively. Sperm viability decreased in MZB- induced groups. Also, the sperm's protamine deficiency (higher than 30%) and DNA fragmentation increased within MZB induced. There were significantly higher structural deformities of sperm's head, neck, and tail in MZB-treated groups as well (p