## 1 Introduction  
Infertility is a significant problem worldwide, affecting approximately 15% of couples, which corresponds to approximately 48.5 million couples with fertility failure [1]. It is known that the condition has a multifactorial origin, including the presence of diverse congenital physiological, anatomical, and hormonal disturbances, the presence of sexually transmitted infections, advanced age, and the participation of genetic and epigenetic factors, as well as the presence of cancer and other diseases. Furthermore, it is also known that exposure to a variety of environmental agents may be of importance in reproductive damage. In this panorama, a problem to resolve is that more than 40% of cases are of unknown etiology and are usually classified as idiopathic infertility [2; 3]. In infertility, the male factor participates in approximately 40-50%, and it has been suggested that its participation is increasing, as observed by the persistent decrease in sperm count and quality [4; 5]. Exposure to a variety of chemicals has been found to deteriorate reproductive capacity. With respect to metals, a review that included 33 chemicals found reproductive alterations related to exposure to lead, mercury, molybdenum, cobalt, cadmium, chromium, nickel, strontium and barium [6; 7]. Cadmium is a transition metal found in tobacco smoke, industrial products, and as a byproduct of mining, smelting, and refining various metals [8]. Concern about its participation in health status has increased because the metal can reach the organism through food, drinking water, or contaminated soil and dust, and because its elimination half-life can be 10-30 years [9]. Moreover, with respect to dietary exposure, cadmium has been observed in excess in crustaceans and other seafood, and in various types of meat, cereals, vegetables, grains, coffee, tea, or cocoa [10]. Recently, health damage by cadmium has been observed in a number of organs and functions, including the kidney, liver, and bones, as well as alterations in the gastrointestinal and immune systems [11; 12]. In the human reproductive system, cadmium has shown controversial results; however, it has been reported as an endocrine-disrupting agent with the capacity to increase the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a property that has shown negative effects on sperm motility, concentration, and morphology, and it also causes alterations in the Sertoli and Leydig cells, damages that can be related to serious disturbances in the reproductive process [13]. Moreover, in previous research, we demonstrated significant damage induced by cadmium chloride (CC) in mouse sperm quantity and quality, as well as in mouse DNA and chromosome integrity. In the latter case, we observed a micronucleic increase, a genotoxic marker that represents chromosome fragmentation or the presence of an abnormally displaced whole chromosome during cell division [14]. The diagnosis of male reproductive anomalies is usually initiated with a clinical examination and semen analysis, although other genetic or cellular studies can be performed, including hormone tests or genetic and chromosome studies. Clinical anomalies, such as cryptorchidism, varicocele, or obstructions in ejaculatory conducts, can be corrected with surgical procedures, and in other cases, infertility may be treated with a number of in vitro insemination methods. On the other hand, preventive measures against reproductive damages have been experimented on by means of plant extracts, plant phytochemicals, or other mixtures. Our present report belongs to this field. Grapefruit (_Citrus paradisi_ Var. Ruby Red) is a low-calorie, high-nutrient plant that belongs to the Rutaceae family and mainly grows in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Its peel, seed, and juice have been found to possess different biomedical activities, such as antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antioxidant, antiulcerogenic, or antiglycemic properties, as well as attributes that may be of help in human cardiac and pancreas disturbances [15].