Environmental contamination is mostly generated through the by-products of human activities, originating from industrial processes and home industries.ÌýDioxins are persistent compounds that are released as a byproduct of industry, combustion or other sources, these compounds are resistant to physical or metabolic degradation.ÌýFrom 210 dioxin compounds found, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is one of the most toxic compounds among dioxin compounds.Ìý Mohamed SAÌýet al(2015) stated that many toxins in the environment accumulate in the body have been shown to affect spermatogenesis in mice and humans and can cause low sperm count, abnormal sperm morphology and poor semen quality.ÌýThe results of experiments conducted on several experimental animals against TCDD showed a wide spectrum of toxicity including reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity in experimental animals.Ìý
Among the various toxicities of TCDD, reproductive toxicity was found in both men and women.ÌýTCDD compounds can accumulate in adipose tissue, both animals and humans, so that animals or humans, when exposed to these compounds from environmental contamination, have a cumulative effect that leads to reproductive disorders.ÌýExposure to TCDD can cause necrosis of the seminiferous tubules of the Sertoli cells, and damage to spermatozoa, so TCDD toxicity in the testes affects the abnormalities of spermatogenesis.ÌýThe toxic effects of TCDD are known to interfere with endocrine activity in producing hormones, including reproductive hormone.ÌýTCDD toxicity in the body can cause oxidative stress,Ìýtherefore we need materials that function to break the oxidative chains caused by TCDD such as antioxidant compounds (Sayuti et al., 2015).ÌýAntioxidants are exogenous or endogenous compounds.ÌýAntioxidants can come from synthetic or natural compounds.ÌýNatural antioxidants come from plants, one of the plants that has a high antioxidant content as Bouchoukhet alÌý, (2019) stated, Guava leaves have been proven through the DPPH Test, which is used to measure antioxidant levels,Ìýto have good antioxidant abilities in theÌýFree Radical ScavengingÌýandÌýFerric Reducing AbilityÌý(FRAP)ÌýtestsÌý.Ìý
Active compounds in guava leaves that act as antioxidants derived fromÌýphenolicÌýgroupsÌýincluding protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, quercetin, guavin B, ascorbic acid, gallic acid, and caffeic acid.ÌýIn addition, there are flavonoid groups, isoflavonoids, flavonols, catein and chalcone.ÌýThese antioxidant compounds from polyphenols have a role as reducers, free radical scavengers, and inhibit the formation of ROS by binding metal ions required for catalysis of ROS generation (GutiérrezÌýet al,Ìý2008).ÌýBased on research conducted by Ngoula in 2017 regarding the effects of heat stress onÌý male cavies reproduction and damage prevention strategies using guava leaf essential oil.ÌýThe results showed that giving guava leaf extract toÌýcavies,Ìýwhich was exposed to heat stress up to 45 ℃, increases spermatogenesis cell density and sperm motility and reduced sperm cell damage.ÌýThe antioxidant activity increases due toÌýessential oils. Guava leaves can reduce the rate of free radicals so it can break the chain of peroxyl radical formation and can prevent oxidative stress due to an imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals.ÌýThe antioxidant content in guava leaves as antioxidants has been widely studied.ÌýThe antioxidant compounds contained in guava leaf extract have the potential to affect TCDD toxicity, particularly to reduce the amount of apoptosis of Sertoli cells and to reduce MDA levels in male mice (ÌýMus musculusÌý).Ìý
Author: Wahyu Indah Sulistya Rani
Reproductive Biology Master’s Program
