Effect of probiotic on the reproductive system and testosterone of rats intoxicated with hexavalent chromium in the diet

Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) is a toxic and carcinogenic agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on the prostate, seminal vesicle, testis and testosterone hormone level in rats, as a preclinical model, intoxicated with increasing doses of Cr VI, in the form of potassium dichromate. The experimental period lasted 90 days and used 80 young male rats randomly allocated into eight groups (n=10): two doses of probiotic and four doses of potassium dichromate incorporated into the diet. After the experimental period, the animals were weighed, euthanized and samples of blood, prostate, seminal vesicle and testis were collected and histological evaluations and hormonal measurements were performed. The probiotic supplemented in the diet reduced (p<0.05) the toxic effects of CrVI on the prostate, seminal vesicle, testis and testosterone hormone levels. The results also revealed that the incorporation of increasing doses of potassium dichromate caused toxic effects in a dose-dependent manner.