Possible role of vitamins A and/or α-tocopheryl acetate in modulating -radiation-induced disorders on the pituitary-gonadal-adrenal axis hormones and some related minerals in female rats

The present study aimed to evaluate the role of vitamins A (15000 IU/kg body wt) and α -tocopheryl acetate (100 mg/kg body wt) on repairing the disorders induced by γ -radiation on the pituitary-gonadal adrenal axis hormones in female rats during the estrus phase of estrus cycle. The investigation included the determination of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) estradiol (E2) progesterone (P) aldosterone (Ald), Na+, K+ and Ca2+, levels in serum. Animals were divided into 5 groups: control, whole body -irradiated (6 Gy), injected with vitamin A 2 h before irradiation, subjected to γ -radiation then injected with α-tocopheryl acetate 1 h later and injected with vitamin A pre-irradiation, then injected with α -tocopheryl acetate post-irradiation. Animals were treated at the pro-estrus stage then, serum samples were taken at the estrus stage. Results showed that irradiation induced significant decreases in serum levels of FSH, E2, aldosterone and potassium, whereas, it elevated significantly the serum levels of P4 and sodium but there was in serum calcium levels. Both vitamins A and / orα-tocopheryl acetate succeeded to confront γ -radiation disorders on the estimated hormones and related minerals. The combination of vitamins A and α -tocopheryl acetate was more effective than either one alone