I THE EFFECTS OF VITAMIN D3 (CHOLECALCIFEROL) SUPPLEMENTATION ON MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG)- INDUCED MALE TESTICULAR FUNCTIONS IMPAIRMENT IN RATS

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a commonly used food flavour enhancer that has been reported to impair male reproductive functions through the induction of oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance. This study investigated the protective effects of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation on MSG-induced testicular function impairment in male Wistar rats. Forty adult male rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 10): control, MSG-treated (150 mg/kg), vitamin D3-treated (500 IU/kg), and a co-treatment group receiving both MSG and vitamin D3. Treatments were administered orally once daily for 30 days. Following treatment, body and testicular weights were recorded, while serum and testicular samples were analyzed for reproductive hormones, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory indices, apoptotic markers, and histological changes. Results showed that MSG administration significantly reduced testicular weight, serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and antioxidant enzyme activities, while increasing lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers (TNF-α, MPO), and caspase-3 activity. Co-administration of vitamin D3 significantly reversed these alterations by improving hormonal profiles, enhancing antioxidant defenses, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, suppressing apoptotic activity, and restoring normal testicular histoarchitecture. The findings of this study demonstrate that vitamin D3 supplementation confers significant protective effects against MSG-induced testicular toxicity. It is concluded that vitamin D3 may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for preserving male reproductive function in conditions associated with excessive dietary MSG exposure.