RESUMEN
This study determined whether nickel sulfate (Ni)-induced reproductive damage occurs via apoptosis and oxidative stress and to examine the expression of Bax and c-kit and their effects on Ni exposure. The study also explored the protective effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) against Ni toxicity in the testes. Wistar rats were treated with normal saline, Ni alone (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg/day), and Ni (2.5 mg/kg/day) plus GSPE (50 and 100 mg/kg/day). After 30 days, Ni significantly decreased sperm motility and the percentage of S-phase cells and enhanced testicular apoptosis in the 2.5 and 5 mg groups. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and nitric oxide (NO) significantly increased. The decreased activity of glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the Ni groups showed that Ni could increase oxidative stress, especially at 2.5 and 5 mg. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of Bax protein and c-kit increased in 2.5 and 5 mg Ni groups compared with controls. Conversely, these changes were partially attenuated in rats simultaneously administered GSPE, especially in the 100 mg group. These results demonstrate the following: (1) Ni exhibits reproductive toxicity in rats by decreasing sperm at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 mg; (2) intratesticular apoptosis, oxidative stress, and c-kit overexpression play pivotal roles in reproductive damage induced by Ni; and (3) GSPE enhances sperm motility by down-regulating c-kit expression and offsetting the apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by Ni by directly decreasing MDA and NO, scavenging H2O2, and down-regulating Bax expression.