Testicular weight deficits, altered variables of antioxidant defense system, spermatogenesis impairment, and inflammation induced by busulfan injection are ameliorated by gallic acid administration in rats

This study evaluated the long-term protective effect of gallic acid (GAL) against testicular lesions induced by busulfan (BUSLF) in Wistar rats. Thirty (30) male rats weighing 60-70 g were randomized into three groups of ten in each group: control (2 ml kg body weight (b.w) olive oil), BUSLF (10 mg kg b.w), and BUSLF + GAL (10 mg kg b.w BUSLF + 20 mg kg b.w GAL). BUSLF was injected (intraperitoneally) concurrently with GAL (oral gavage) on day 1 but GAL administration continues for 12 weeks in the BUSLF + GAL animals. At the end of the study, all animals did not show relevant changes in body weights, but absolute testis weight and gonado-somatic index were decreased in the BUSLF-treated animals compared to the control values (p