COMBINED PROBIOTIC AND OMEGA-3 SUPPLEMENTATION MITIGATES CHLORPYRIFOSINDUCED TESTICULAR OXIDATIVE DAMAGE AND ENDOCRINE DISRUPTION
Keywords:
chlorpyrifos, male infertility, probiotic yoghurt, omega-3 fatty acids, inflammation, oxidative stress.Abstract
Chlorpyrifos (CPF), a widely used organophosphate pesticide, has been implicated in testicular dysfunction through
oxidative and endocrine disruption. Despite growing interest in nutritional interventions, the combined protective
effects of probiotic yoghurt and omega-3 fatty acids on CPF-induced testicular injury remain underexplored. Hence,
this study aims to investigate the ameliorative potential of probiotic yoghurt and omega-3 fatty acids singly and in
combination, against CPF-toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Sixty adults male Wistar rats were randomly divided
into seven groups (n=10 per group): control, CPF (10 mg/kg), Probiotic (10 mg/kg), CPF + Probiotic, Omega-3 fatty
acids (2 ml/kg), CPF + Omega-3, and CPF + Probiotic + Omega-3. Treatment with experimental substances was
administered concurrently for two weeks (14 days) via oral gavage. 24 hours after the last administration of
substances, animals were euthanised and testicular structure, epididymis, and blood samples were collected for post
treatment analysis, i.e., histological processing (H and E and PAS stains), Seminalysis, serum hormone levels,
oxidative and inflammatory markers were analysed. Chronic CPF exposure resulted in reduced sperm quality and
quantity, accompanied by reduced LH and testosterone levels, suppressed SOD activity, and elevated IL-1β.
Histologically, CPF caused ST degeneration, vacuolations within the germinal epithelium, and disrupted PAS
positive BM. Probiotic yoghurt and omega-3 supplementation, particularly the combined treatment, significantly
improved sperm indices, restored hormonal balance, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduced
inflammatory cytokine concentration. Testicular architecture and BM integrity were preserved in the therapeutic
groups, especially in CPF + PRO + OME3 rats. Concurrent administration of probiotic yoghurt and omega-3 fatty
acids effectively mitigated CPF-induced testicular toxicity by enhancing antioxidant defence, modulating
inflammatory responses, and restoring endocrine and structural integrity. These findings underscore the translational
potential of nutritional therapy as a preventive or adjunctive approach against pesticide-related male infertility.
