Abstract
Background:
Lead intoxication triggers testicular toxicity via oxidative stress.

Aim:
This study aimed to explore the antioxidant potential of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) in enhancing the semen quality of rats exposed to lead acetate.

Methods:
Twenty-five healthy rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups. Group C served as the negative control, whereas group C+ was exposed to lead acetate at 50 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day without MOLE. The T1, T2, and T3 groups were exposed to lead acetate at 50 mg/kg BW and concurrently received MOLE at doses of 200, 316, and 500 mg/kg BW/day, respectively, for 20 days. On the 21st day, all rats were euthanized for blood collection and testicle harvesting.

Results:
The result showed that exposure to lead acetate at 50 mg/kg BW/day in group C+ led to significant decreases (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), Leydig and Sertoli cell counts, spermatozoa numbers, sperm motility, and live spermatozoa, as well as significant increases (p < 0.05) in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and apoptotic and necrotic sperm, compared with control group C–. The administration of MOLE to rats exposed to lead acetate resulted in improvement in all of these variables. However, SOD and testosterone levels, as well as spermatozoa numbers, viability, apoptosis, and necrosis, did not recover in group T3 (p < 0.05) compared with control group C–.

Conclusion:
MOLE effectively restores sperm quality in lead acetate–induced rats.

Key words: Leydig cells, malondialdehyde, membrane integrity, reproductive health, Sertoli cells