Investigating the pathological changes and activity of antioxidant enzymes in testicular tissue of male Wistar rats exposed to welding fumes

Background: Welding is an extensively utilized industrial technique, which involves the fusion of fumes containing various heavy metals. To protect exposed workers, it is crucial to investigate the subsequent adverse effects. This study aimed to carry out the welding process within a regulated welding chamber and examine the effects of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as antioxidant enzymes and pathological damage on rat testicular tissue. Methods: Male adult Wistar rats (n = 7/experiment group) were exposed to an average concentration of (44.48 mg/m3) welding fumes (WFs) for 30 min/d × 8 days through shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). The control group (n = 7) was in similar conditions without direct exposure to WFs. Results: The metal composition of WFs was found to contain iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr). Among these metals, Fe had the highest average concentration (12.06 mg/m3), while Cu displayed the lowest one (0.019 mg/m3). The majority of the produced particles were found within the micron size range (0.25 to 0.5 μm). The mean activity of GPX and SOD was determined 15.16777 (mU/mg protein) and 81.955 (U/mg protein) in the exposed group, respectively. In the microscopic examination of testis tissue, some complications were observed. Conclusion: Oxidative damage occurred in the testicular tissue of experimental rats by decreasing the mean activity of antioxidant enzymes. Besides, the exposed group showed reduced sperm quality and quantity indexes.