Taurine reverses endosulfan-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in adult rat testis.

The present study was aimed to investigate the mechanistic aspect of endosulfan toxicity and its protection by taurine in rat testes. Pre-treatment with taurine (100 mg/kg/day) significantly reversed the decrease in testes weight, and the reduction in sperm count, motility, viability and daily sperm production in endosulfan (5 mg/kg/day)-treated rats. Sperm chromatin integrity and epididymal L-carnitine were markedly decreased by endosulfan treatment. Endosulfan significantly decreased the level of serum testosterone and testicular 3ß-HSD, 17ß-HSD, G6PDH and LDH-X. Sperm Δψm and mitochondrial cytochrome c content were significantly decreased after endosulfan. Testicular caspases-3, -8 and -9 activities were significantly increased but taurine showed significant protection from endosulfan-induced apoptosis. Oxidative stress was induced by endosulfan treatment as evidenced by increased H2O2 level and LPO and decreased the antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx activities and GSH content. These alterations were effectively prevented by taurine pre-treatment. In conclusion, endosulfan decreases rat testes weight, and inhibits spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. It induces oxidative stress and apoptosis by possible mechanisms of both mitochondria and non-mitochondria pathways. These data provide insight into the mode of action of endosulfan-induced toxicity and the beneficial role provided by taurine to counteract endosulfan-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat testis.