Protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid against perfluorooctanoic acid-induced toxicity on the fertility of adult male mice

INTRODUCTION: Male fertility is declining, and synthetic chemicals are a major candidate for causing it. This study investigated the effect of oral consumption of perfluorooctanoic acid on sperm quality and in vitro fertilization and the therapeutic role of alpha-lipoic acid in improving its possible effects. METHODS: Twenty adults male NMRI mice weighing 24-20 g were used. The male mice were divided into four groups. The control group received no drug. The sham group received only DMSO. The model group received PFOA (10 mg/kg), and the treatment group received PFOA (10 mg/kg) and ALA (dissolved in distilled water, 100 mg /kg). After the treatment period, blood, sperm and testicular tissue samples were collected from male mice. Serum testosterone level, testicular weight and histology, sperm analysis and sperm DFI were assayed. Then, using the IVF technique, fertilization rates at the 2PN, two-cell and cleavage stages were recorded. RESULTS: Exposure of male mice to PFOA significantly reduced sperm parameters (concentration, motility, morphology, viability), testicular weight, testosterone levels, IVF rates at the 2PN, two-cell and cleavage stages and increased sperm DFI. Simultaneous administration of ALA significantly reduced these adverse effects. P < 0.05 was considered significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that ALA can improve the harmful effects of PFOA on sperm and fertilization rate. Therefore, the use of ALA to improve IVF outcomes deserves further attention. Given the persistent presence of PFOA in the environment and its associative (not causal) link with reduced sperm quality, further research and larger studies in this area seem necessary.