The effect of aerobic exercise and ginger hydroalcoholic extract on the expression of VEGF and FGF-2 in cadmium chloride-induced infertile testis tissue in adult male Wistar rats

Background and Aim: Cadmium, a heavy and toxic metal, is a known environmental pollutant with teratogenic effects. This study aims to assess the influence of a course of aerobic exercise and ginger hydroalcoholic extract on the expression of VEGF and FGF-2 in cadmium chloride-induced infertile testis tissue in adult male Wistar rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 48 12-week-old adult male Wistar rats, weighing 250 ± 30 grams, were divided into six equal groups: healthy control, exercise, cadmium (Cd), exercise-Cd, ginger-50 Cd, and ginger-100 Cd. The rats received 3 mg of cadmium chloride and hydroalcoholic extract of ginger at a rate of 50 or 100 mg/kg of body weight. The training protocol included running on a treadmill with an intensity of 27 m/min. After a 5-week period, the rats were anesthetized with diethyl ether, and their testis tissue was evaluated to determine the quantity of FGF-1 and VEGF. Results: The aerobic training group showed a significant increase (P=0.004) in the expression of VEGF and FGF-2 genes in testicular tissue compared to the control group. Conversely, the cadmium group displayed a significant decrease (P=0.001) in the expression of these genes. The ginger 100 and 50 + cadmium group did not show a significant change in VEGF and FGF-2 gene expression compared to the control group. Conclusion: Cadmium exposure resulted in decreased VEGF and FGF-2 gene expression in testicular tissue, while exercise led to an increase. Additionally, ginger consumption appears to mitigate cadmium-induced tissue damage, although it does not increase the expression of VEGF and FGF-2 genes.