Original Articles
Armin Adelinik1*and Shaghayegh
Abstract
The level of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is one of the main factors involved in infertility. Nowadays, exposure to lead is considered as a strong factor induces infertility. In the present study, for the first time, we studied the effects of curcumin, an herbal compound, on the expression of FSH in lead pre-exposed mice using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). FSH is in turn strongly correlated with INHBB and both together play a pivotal role in fertility. Furthermore, we were seeking to determine if there is any relationship between the level of FSH and the presence of lead and how curcumin may exert a synergistic effect. In addition, we further studied the oxidative stress caused by lead. Therefore, we measured the level of lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species in curcumin-treated, lead-treated, curcumin/lead co-treated, and non-treated mice. According to our data, curcumin remarkably increased the level of serum FSH and reduced the negative effects of lead in oxidative status of lead-treated mice. Consequently, curcumin would be considered as a potential reagent for therapeutic purposes related to fertility.