juice protect against alterations in reproductive functions induced by maternal dexamethsone treatment during lactation in male offspring of Wistar rats.

Treatment with dams with dexamethasone during lactation has been reported to induce oxidative stress in the testis of the offspring. (Red Onion) is known to be a potent free radical scavenger. The protective role of against oxidative stress induced in testis following treatment with dexamehasone during lactation in Wistar rats was assessed. Twenty female rats were assigned into four groups (n = 5) during lactation and they were treated as follows: Group 1 serve as Control (distilled water), Group 2, 3, and four were admistered dexamethasone (60 μg/kg), (5 ml/kg) and dexamethasone + respectively. Testicular descent, pubertal age, sperm quality indices, and serum hormonal profile were assessed as indices of reproductive function. Testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were assessed as measures of oxidative stress. Results obtained showed that dexamethasone caused significant (P < 0.05) reduction in testes weights, indices of sperm quality, serum testosterone, FSH, LH levels and testicular antioxidant enzyme activities. There was significant delay (P < 0.05) in days of testes descent, preputial separation and increase in testicular MDA. However, maternal treatment with juice significantly (P < 0.05) improved both indices of reproductive function and testicular antioxidant enzymes. These findings suggest that has a protective effect against testicular oxidative stress and reproductive dysfunction following treatment of dams with dexamethasone during lactation.