Probiotic Bacillus Clausii Protects against Amoxicillin-evoked Reproductive Dysfunction through Oxidative Stress Modulation

Abstract

Antibiotics are frequently used in livestock, aquaculture, and poultry, resulting in their accumulation in these animals and the surrounding environment. This contamination can present health risks to humans. Research on the harmful effects of antibiotics, especially their potential to disrupt hormones in the male reproductive system, is still in its early phases. This study investigated the impact of exposure to the antibiotic amoxicillin (AMO) on male reproductive health. The aim is to shed light on the potential dangers antibiotics pose to male reproductive health and to emphasize how Bacillus clausii may help protect against the toxic effects of AMO. The study included four groups treated via gavage: control animals, a supplemented group receiving B. clausii (1.25 ml, 1 × 10^9 CFU per mouse per day), a group treated with AMO at 30 mg/kg daily, and a fourth group that received AMO and B. clausii. After 45 days of treatment, blood samples were collected to assess serum activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and levels of reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, and testosterone. Testicular tissue samples were analyzed for mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) gene expression and histological changes. This study demonstrates that exposure to AMO negatively impacts male reproductive health by increasing oxidative stress, reducing testosterone levels, causing testicular damage, and downregulating the mTOR expression level. However, supplementation with B. clausii mitigates these harmful effects, likely due to its antioxidant properties. The probiotic reduced oxidative stress markers, improved testosterone levels, and alleviated testicular lesions, thereby upregulating the mTOR expression level, which suggests its potential protective role against antibiotic-induced toxicity.