"Modulatory effect of TNF-α inhibitor in experimentally-induced testicular toxicity in rats"

Abstract

Environmental exposure to toxic pollutants, which are present in the background ambience, as well as occupational exposure to specific toxic pollutants, which are consequence of job-related activities, have been demonstrated to negatively affect fertility in humans (de Angelis et al., 2017). Cd has been repeatedly proven to be one of the major heavy metal exerting reproductive toxicity in males and females (Lafuente, 2013; Çilenk et al., 2016; de Angelis et al., 2017). It causes profound structural and function defects in male reproductive system (Erboga et al., 2016; He et al., 2018). Oxidative stress and inflammation are the main factors implicated in Cd-induced tissue injury (Arafa et al., 2014). Thus, the present study was performed to assess the possible protective role of infliximab (IFX), anti-TNFα agent, against Cd-induced testicular damage and spermiotoxicity in rats.