Naja nigricollis venom altered reproductive and neurological functions via modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative damage in male rats

Reproductive and neurological anomalies are often characterized by malfunctioning of reproductive and nervous organs sometimes attributed to systemic toxins. However, limited information is available on the impact of snake venom toxins on male reproductive and nervous system. This study investigated the toxicological effects of Naja nigricollis venom on male reproductive and neural functions in rat model. Twenty male Wistar rats weighing between 195 and 230 g were divided randomly into two groups of ten rats each. Group 1 served as normal control while rats in group 2 were envenomed with a single intraperitoneal injection of 0.25 mg/kg(−1) (LD(12.5)) of N. nigricollis venom on first and twenty fifth day within the period of fifty days experiment. The venom significantly decreased sperm counts, motile cells and volume combined with increased sperm abnormalities. The venom induced hormonal imbalances in the envenomed group as levels of testosterone, luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones depreciated compared to the control. Oxidative stress biomarkers: malondialdehyde significantly increased parallels with depletion of glutathione level and catalase activities in testis, epididymis and brain of envenomed rats. Furthermore, N. nigricollis venom up-regulated tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin1-beta (IL-1β) production in testis, epididymis and brain of envenomed rats compared to the control. Also, various histological alterations were noticed in tissues of testis, epididymis and brain of envenomed rats. Findings indicated that N. nigricollis venom is capable of inducing reproductive and neurological dysfunction in envenomed victims.