Possibly, the toxic effects of MSG on the spermatozoa physiological and biochemical parameters might be related to the increased production of free radicals in the rat reproductive organs. There is a defense system which consist of antioxidant enzymes such as GPx, SOD and CAT [41], [42] and [43]. The present investigation revealed that MSG caused significant decrease in SOD, buy Gemcitabine CAT and GPx activities and these findings are greatly in accordance with Fábio et al (2012) who

reported reduction in both SOD and GPx after administration of MSG and significant amelioration in these parameters after combination with Quercetin. These enzymes are also considered as an important indicator of the balance status between the first and second step of the enzymatic antioxidant pathway [44]. The testis, epididymis, sperm and seminal plasma contain high activities of antioxidant enzymes [45]. Whereas SOD catalyzes the conversion selleck products of superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide, CAT converts hydrogen peroxide into water [46]. Therefore, SOD–CAT system provides the first defense system against oxidative stress and these enzymes work together to eliminate active oxygen species ([47]

and [48]). Glutathione peroxidases are antioxidant selenoenzymes that are present in the cytosol of cells. The major function of these enzymes, which use glutathione (GSH) as a substrate, is to reduce soluble hydrogen peroxide and alkyl peroxidases [43]. GPx converts hydrogen peroxide into water in the presence of oxidated glutathione [49]. In this study, the cleared decrease of SOD, CAT and GPx enzymes in MSG treated group may be due to the consumption during the breakdown of free radicals and high level of H2O2 or the inhibition of these enzymes by these radicals. Thus, the changes in oxidative defense systems and increase the level of oxidants in the testis tissues associated with MSG exposure leading

to increased lipid peroxidation. MSG may also affect Fossariinae male reproductive function (Aisha, 2013). In this study MSG caused several histopathological changes like spermatogenic arrest, edema, and hypospermia. It may be related to oxidative effects of MSG on testis cell membrane and also testis tissues. Oxidative damage primarily occurs via production of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anion, peroxides, and it can damage to lipids, proteins and DNA. Therefore, it may cause to loss of enzymatic activity and structural integrity of enzymes and activate inflammatory processes [50]. It is suggested that toxic effects of MSG lead to alterations in the structural integrity of mitochondrial inner membrane, resulting in the depletion of mitochondrial GSH levels and increased formation of hydrogen peroxide by the mitochondrial electron transport chain (Séner et al., 2003).