Lupinus Albus Seed Extract Attenuates Cadmium-Induced Reproductive Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats: Dose-Dependent Modulation of Oxidative Stress, Steroidogenesis, Inflammation and Testicular Histoarchitecture

Introduction: Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental and occupational toxicant that impairs male reproductive function through oxidative stress, endocrine disruption and inflammation. Lupinus albus is a legume rich in phenolic and flavonoid antioxidants, but its effect on the cadmium-exposed testis has not been examined. Aim of this study was to evaluate the dose-dependent protective effect of L. albus seed extract against cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated to five groups (n = 8): control; lupine (200 mg/kg); Cd (CdCl₂, 5 mg/ kg); Cd + lupine 100 mg/kg; and Cd + lupine 200 mg/kg, administered orally for 56 days. Body and reproductive organ weights, epididymal sperm parameters, serum testosterone, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testicular oxidative markers (MDA, GSH, SOD, CAT, GPx, TAC), serum ALT, AST, ALP, urea and creatinine, serum TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, and testicular histomorphometry were assessed. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s test. Results: Cadmium reduced final body and reproductive organ weights, sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphology, lowered testosterone, LH and FSH, depleted antioxidant enzymes and raised MDA, increased liver and kidney markers and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and reduced seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height and Johnsen score (all P < 0.001). Co-treatment with lupine attenuated these changes in a dose-dependent manner; at 200 mg/kg most parameters were not significantly different from control. Conclusion: Within this model, L. albus seed extract was associated with dose-dependent attenuation of cadmium-induced reproductive, oxidative, endocrine, inflammatory and histological alterations. These findings support further mechanistic and translational investigation but do not, by themselves, establish clinical benefit.