الملخص

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and serratiopeptidase are two compounds with distinct yet complementary mechanisms that play a crucial  role in protecting testicular function and maintaining reproductive health. This combination holds significant promise in safeguarding testicular tissue from external insults, such as those induced by chemotherapeutic agents like methotrexate. A  total of 35 adult male  albino rats (Rattus), weighing an average of 200 ± 20 grams and aged between 8 to 10 weeks, were  used in this study. The animals were divided into five groups, with each group consisting of 7 rats. Methotrexate was administered at a dose of 100 µg/kg per day via intraperitoneal (IP) injection for two weeks. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) was given orally at a dose of 600 mg/kg/day for the same duration, while serratiopeptidase(SER) was administered orally at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day for two weeks as well.

5 ml of serum was collected to conduct clinical tests for hormones and oxidative stress after 2 weeks . The results showed a  significant decrease in testosterone levels in the methotrexate (MTX) group compared to the control group, reflecting the negative impact of MTX on Leydig cells responsible for hormone production. However, an improvement in testosterone levels was observed in the groups treated with NAC and NAC + SER, indicating the role of these treatments in mitigating damage. For LH and FSH hormones, LH levels decreased in the MTX group compared to the control, while they improved in the NAC and NAC + SER-treated groups. As for FSH, a slight increase was observed in the MTX group, whereas its levels decreased in the treated groups, suggesting improved testicular function. Regarding oxidative stress markers, GSH levels decreased and MDA levels increased in the MTX group compared to the control, while these levels improved in the NAC and NAC + SER-treated groups, demonstrating the role of these treatments in reducing oxidative stress and enhancing testicular health