Abstract
Background:
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread endocrine-disrupting chemical known to impair male reproductive health through oxidative stress, hormonal imbalance, and testicular damage. Myristica fragrans (MF), rich in bioactive monoterpenes and phenylpropanoids, has demonstrated antioxidant and hormone-modulating properties, suggesting potential for reproductive protection.

Aim:
To evaluate the protective and restorative effects of Myristica fragrans essential oil against BPA-induced reproductive and endocrine toxicity in male rats, and to correlate these effects with the oil's chemical composition as identified by GC-MS analysis.

Methods:
Forty adult male rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): Control (distilled water), MF-only (200 mg/kg/day), BPA-only (50 mg/kg/day), and BPA+MF (co-treatment). All substances were administered orally for 60 consecutive days. Assessments included sperm motility, viability, morphology, and concentration; chromatin and DNA integrity (via Toluidine Blue, Aniline Blue, and Acridine Orange stains); serum testosterone and LH levels; testis weight; and oxidative stress biomarkers (TAC and MDA). Essential oil composition was analyzed via GC-MS.

Results:
BPA exposure significantly impaired sperm quality, disrupted chromatin condensation and DNA integrity, altered hormone levels (↓testosterone, ↑LH), reduced testicular weight, and elevated oxidative stress markers (↑MDA, ↓TAC) (p < 0.001). Co-treatment with MF significantly restored all evaluated parameters to near-normal levels (p < 0.001 vs. BPA). GC-MS analysis identified sabinene (33.55%), α-pinene (23.08%), β-pinene (14.88%), and myristicin (0.84%) among the major constituents. The MF-only group showed no adverse effects across all parameters.

Conclusion:
Myristica fragrans essential oil significantly ameliorated BPA-induced reproductive and endocrine disturbances in rats. The observed improvements in sperm quality, chromatin integrity, hormonal profile, and oxidative stress markers suggest that the protective effects of the oil may be associated with its antioxidant properties. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these effects require further investigation.

Key words: Bisphenol A, Myristica fragrans, sperm quality, oxidative stress, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, DNA fragmentation, chromatin integrity, endocrine disruption, antioxidant phytotherapy.