LAUSR

Environmental contamination by manganese is correlated with diverse health outcomes plus reproductive dysfunction. Dietary gallic acid (GA) and omega‐3 fatty acids (ω‐3‐FA) are well reported to elicit beneficial health effects. Though, information on GA and ω‐3‐FA effects on manganese‐induced reproductive toxicity is absent in literature. We examined the effect of GA or ω‐3‐FA on manganese‐induced epididymal and testicular toxicity in rats, exposed to manganese (15 mg/kg b.w.) alone, in combination with GA (30 mg/kg b.w.) or ω‐3‐FA (20 mg/kg b.w.) by gavage for 14 consecutive days. GA or ω‐3‐FA significantly (p < .05) prevented manganese‐mediated increase in lipid peroxidation, myeloperoxidase activity, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production but increased antioxidant enzymes activities and glutathione level in epididymis and testes treated rats. GA or ω‐3‐FA enhanced the activities of testicular function marker enzymes, namely acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in the treated rats. GA or ω‐3‐FA amelioration of manganese‐induced decreases in follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone, and testosterone levels were complemented by increase (p < .05) sperm functional characteristics in treated rats. Conclusively, GA or ω‐3‐FA may serve as dietary supplements to improve male reproductive dysfunction associated with manganese toxicity.