Photobiomodulation mitigates phenanthrene-induced testicular toxicity in mice by modulating oxidative stress and apoptosis biomarkers
10.5653/cerm.2025.07983
- Author:
Azar AFSHAR
;
Fakhroddin AGHAJANPOUR
;
Fatemeh FADAEFATHABADI
;
Hojjat-Allah ABBASZADEH
;
Hamid NAZARIAN
;
Reza SOLTANI
;
Mohsen NOUROZIAN
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
2026;53(2):173-182
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:Organic compounds present in environmental pollution are currently regarded as major health threats. Phenanthrene (Phe), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, impairs testicular function through oxidative stress, leading to the failure of spermatogenesis. This study aimed to explore the potential beneficial effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on testicular tissue and sperm parameters following Phe exposure in mice.
Methods:Twenty-four adult male mice, aged 8 weeks, were randomly divided into three groups: control, Phe, and Phe+PBM. In the Phe and Phe+PBM groups, mice received Phe (500 ng/kg) via gavage every 48 hours for 5 weeks. Following Phe exposure, the testes of the Phe+PBM mice were irradiated with laser photons every other day for 35 days. After euthanasia, epididymal tails and testes were collected for molecular and histological analyses.
Results:PBM significantly improved sperm count, motility, and viability (p<0.0001). Moreover, reactive oxygen species production, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis were markedly reduced in the testicular tissue of the laser-treated mice (p<0.0001). Improvements were also observed in seminiferous epithelium thickness and cell distribution following PBM (p<0.0001).
Conclusion:Laser therapy significantly mitigates testicular damage from Phe exposure by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis biomarkers, thereby improving testicular tissue and sperm parameters.
