sperm parameters

Cyclophosphamide (Cy) as an alkylating chemotherapeutic agent with broad-spectrum efficacy in cancer treatment. Despite its wide spectrum of clinical usage, off-target multiple organ toxicity such as sperm and testicular injury is one of its toxic side effects. Since the Nasturtium officinale L. hydroalcoholic extract (NOE) contains a wide range of phytochemicals with various biological functions, the current study was designed to explore the protective potential of NOE on testicular toxicity caused by Cy in rats.

Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into eight groups (n=6): control, Cy [received a single dose of 75 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p)], NOE+Cy (Prevention): received NOE 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day, orally for 21 consecutive days and on the last day received Cy, Cy+NOE (Treatment): received NOE 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day, orally for 7 days after Cy administration for 21 consecutive days, and NOE (500 and 1000 mg/kg/day). After experiments, the testicular weight and volume, testosterone level, and sperm parameters as well as histologic and histomorphometric changes of testis were examined.

Base on the results, Cy caused significant decreases in testicular weight and volume, decreased testosterone level and reduced sperm count, and motility whereas increased sperm abnormality (p<0.05). Cy significantly reduced seminiferous tubules diameter, and height of the seminiferous epithelium (p<0.05). Furthermore, disorganization of seminiferous tubules diameter was increased in Cy group (p<0.05). Interestingly, pre and post-treatment with NOE could effectively improve testicular weight and volume, and testosterone level as well as sperm parameters. Furthermore, NOE administration ameliorated seminiferous tubules diameter diameter, seminiferous epithelium height (p<0.05).

It is concluded that NOE may provide a potential protective effect for Cy-induced testicular damage.

There is increasing evidence that stress exposure leads to a series of male reproductive system disorders. Wheat germ oil is one of the richest vitamin E and α-tocopherol sources, which have antioxidant properties. Music therapy is appropriate for stress reduction in a variety of mental and medical healthcare centers. This study proposed to evaluate the effect of wheat germ oil and music intervention on testis tissue changes induced by acute and chronic immobility stress in male rats.

Thirty-five male rats, each weighing 230 ± 20 g, were randomly divided into seven groups: 1) control, 2) acute stress, 3) chronic stress, 4) acute stress + wheat germ oil, 5) chronic stress + wheat germ oil, 6) acute stress + music, and 7) chronic stress + music. Following the intervention period, the rats were euthanized, and blood and testicular tissues were collected. Body weight, sperm parameters, spermatogenesis indices, morphological and morphometric changes, oxidative stress markers, and serum testosterone levels were assessed.

Chronic stress led to significant reductions in body weight, sperm parameters (including count, motility, and viability), spermatogenesis indices, and morphometric indices. Additionally, oxidative stress levels increased, while catalase activity and testosterone levels decreased. However, these adverse effects were mitigated in groups treated with wheat germ oil and exposed to music, resulting in the normalization of these parameters.

This study reveals that immobility stress enhances testicular damage indices, but the use of wheat germ oil and hearing the music improves these parameter.

This study aims to investigate the effects of sodium hydrogen sulphide (NaHS) supplementation, a hydrogensulphide (H2S) donor, on oxidant and antioxidant markers, as well as sperm function in rats with experimentally inducedvaricocele.

In this experimental study, 55 male Wistar rats were assigned to varicocele (n=25), control (n=20),and sham (n=10) groups. In the varicocele group, five rats received NaHS treatment immediately after surgery for fourmonths and ten rats were treated two to four months after surgery. The remaining ten rats in the varicocele group receivedno treatment. Similar protocols were followed for the control groups. At the end of four months, all rats were sacrificed, andassessments were made for sperm parameters that included function tests, and testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) and totalantioxidant capacity (TAC).

Varicocele induction significantly impaired sperm parameters and sperm function tests. NaHS treatment fortwo months increased sperm concentrations, while treatment for two and four months improved motility, chromatinstatus, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to untreated varicocele rats. After four months, NaHStreatment reduced testicular MDA levels. Testicular TAC significantly increased after two months but decreased afterfour months of treatment in the varicocele group (P<0.05).

NaHS treatment improved sperm parameters and reduced oxidative stress in varicocele rats. Theobserved effects depended on the treatment duration.

This study investigates the effects of GO on depressive behaviors and reproductive parameters in rats exposed to CRS. Rats were divided into three groups: sham, CRS-control, and CRS-GO. Behavioral assessments using the SPT and measurements of body and testes weights were conducted. Reproductive potential was evaluated by ELISA for testosterone, LH, and FSH levels, as well as sperm characteristics. Oxidative stress levels were assessed through MDA measurements and antioxidant enzyme activities. Additionally, apoptotic and signaling pathway proteins were analyzed by measuring cleaved caspase-3 and Nrf-2 levels in the testes using western blot analysis. GO mitigated depressive behaviors and reduced serum corticosterone levels compared to the CRS-control group. GO increased testosterone, LH, and FSH levels and improved sperm parameters. GO supplementation reduced MDA levels and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities compared to the CRS-control group. The analysis showed that GO down-regulated cleaved caspase-3 levels and up-regulated Nrf-2 protein levels in the testes of CRS rats compared to the CRS-control group. The administration of GO treatment can contribute to the recovery from male reproductive complications by regulating oxidative stress and apoptotic pathways.

Diabetes mellitus decreases reproductive and sexual function in men by causing oxidative stress in testis cells and decreasing antioxidant enzymes. Several recent studies have found the effects of Cornus mas and Galega officinalis extracts on improving spermatogenesis dysfunction caused by diabetes. This meta-analysis study aimed to investigate the impact of G. officinalis and C. mas extract on testicular oxidative stress indices and sperm parameters in diabetic laboratory animals compared to healthy animals.

A search using Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was conducted on studies that investigated the effects of plant extracts of C. mas and G. officinalis on testicular tissue and sperm indices in diabetic animals. The first part included the investigation of malondialdehyde (MDA) (nmol/mg), rate of catalase antioxidant activity, and superoxide dismutase. In contrast, the results of the second part included total sperm count (×106 ), total sperm motility (%), and immobility. The mean difference (MD) (95% confidence interval [CI]) was selected to express the effect size.

Out of 154 identified articles, four studies on mice were included in the meta-analysis. The random effect size yielded an overall effect size for MDA (6.96) with a 95% confidence interval [-6.09; 20.00]. The random effect size yielded an overall effect size for SOD of -0.5076 with a 95% confidence interval [-0.62; -0.40]. The random effect size yielded an overall effect size for CAT of -1.68 with a 95% confidence interval [-1.88; -1.47]. Also, a significant decrease in total sperm count showed the random effect size yielded an overall effect size of -24.74 with a 95% confidence interval [-30.73; -18.74]. The random effect size yielded an overall effect size for sperm motility of -26.65 with a 95% confidence interval [-29.54; -23.76]. A significant increase was demonstrated in sperm immobile in diabetic animals compared to the control group. The random effect size yielded an overall effect size for this indicator is 6.5157 with a 95% confidence interval [-1.96; 14.99].

G. officinalis or C. mas extracts have reduced effects on MDA levels and tissue damage and increased antioxidant enzymes in laboratory animals with diabetes.

It is well known that dietary factors can affect male fertility. The aim of this study was investigating the effect of Mediterranean diet on sperm quality.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 218 men with infertility aged 20-50. A 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to evaluate dietary intakes. Mediterranean diet scores were calculated based on the participant’s dietary intake. The evaluation of anthropometric and biochemical variables was performed through standard methods. To evaluate the relationship between Mediterranean dietary patterns and sperm parameters, the multivariate logistic regression controlled for potential confounders was used.

The prevalence of sperm’s low concentration in people with low, moderate, and high adherence to the Mediterranean diet was 43.4%, 34% and 25.9%, respectively. Participants in the highest tertile of adherence to the Mediterranean diet had lower odds of sperm low concentration (odds ratio: 0.37; 95% confidence interval: 0.15–0.91 P=0.02) compared with those in the lowest tertile after adjusting for potential confounders including energy intake, body mass index (BMI), smoking, age, level of education and physical activity. This association was observed between increasing trend adherence to the Mediterranean diet and decreasing the odds of sperm low concentration after full adjustments (odds ratio: 0.60; 95%, confidence interval: 0.98–0.94, Ptrend=0.02).

In the present study, the authors observed a protective relation between Mediterranean diet and sperm’s low concentration. However, the association between adherence to this diet and other sperm parameters is unexplored. In future, more investigations are needed in this era.

Infertile men have higher levels of sperm reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to fertile men. The high level of free radicals in semen can disrupt sperm function, damage sperm DNA, and reduce male fertility. We investigated the effect of resistance exercise alone or together with ginger and date palm pollen (DPP) supplements, as well as these two supplements alone, on sperm quality in infertile men with oligoasthenotratospermia (OAT).

This randomized, single-blinded trial was conducted on 48 infertile men with OAT. The volunteers were randomly assigned to 6 groups: Exercise (8 people), DPP (8 people), ginger (8 people), DPP+exercise (8 people), ginger+exercise (8 people) and control (placebo) (n=8). Participants in the ginger and ginger+exercise groups were taken two capsules (250 mg ginger) and also in DPP and DPP+exercise, two capsules (DPP 250 mg) daily for two months. Before and after the treatment, semen and blood samples of the participants were collected. Also, the semen was analyzed according to World Health Organization (WHO) reference value. DNA fragmentation and hormonal profile (luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] and testosterone) were determined by TUNEL and ELISA kit.

The sperm motility increased significantly in the supplements alone and supplements with exercise groups compared to before the treatment (DPP: P=0.006; ginger=0.04; DPP+exercise: P=0.001; ginger+exercise: P=0.002). Sperm concentration had a significant increase in the supplement alone and supplements+exercise groups (DPP: P=0.013; ginger=0.005; DPP+exercise: P=0.001; ginger+exercise: P=0.01), while no significant difference was observed in the normal morphology of sperm. The DNA fragmentation index level in all studied groups, except the control group, showed a significant decrease. Also, a significant increase in the levels of the studied hormones was observed in all groups except the control group (DPP: P=0.016 ginger=0.007; DPP+exercise: P=0.025; ginger+exercise: P=0.008 and exercise=0.006). FSH and total testosterone (TT) increased after consuming the DPP or ginger or doing exercise alone or along with supplements. While the increase of LH in all of groups was significant except exercise group and control.

Ginger, DPP and exercise have positive effects on the sperm quality of infertile men.

Freezing is a crucial technique in reproductive science utilized for the preservation of sperm samples. However, the process of freezing and thawing sperm can result in detrimental effects on sperm quality. One of the major mechanisms underlying this decline in sperm quality is the generation of reactive oxygen species   during the freeze process. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of magnesium oxide nanoparticles   on frozen sperm parameters.

Semen samples were collected from 8 fertile men, aged 30 to 42 years, with normozoospermia, following 3 to 5 days of abstinence. The samples were divided into fresh (n=3), freeze (n=3), and control (n=2) groups. Three fresh experimental groups were only exposed to MgO NPs with concentrations of 5, 25, and 50 μg/ml and three freezing experimental groups were frozen after being treated with MgO NPs, thawed, and analyzed after 30 min.

Our findings revealed that the progressive movement and vitality of sperm experienced a significant decline, while non-progressive and immotile sperm showed a notable increase in both fresh and frozen experimental groups exposed to MgO NPs. However, the application of MgO NPs during fresh and freezing processes demonstrated an effective preservation of pH, morphology, and DNA fragmentation in sperm cells.

The analysis revealed that MgO NPs negatively impact sperm motility and viability in both fresh and freeze analysis. Also, the use of MgO NPs in fresh and frozen processes effectively maintains the pH, morphology, and fragmentation of DNA in sperm cells.

Celiac disease is a common chronic inflammatory condition of the small intestine caused by permanent intolerance to gluten/gliadin. It has been demonstrated that oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms that is involved in gliadin toxicity, and there is a correlation between oxidative damage with this disease. Similarly, increased oxidative stress was repeatedly reported in infertile men which led to low-quality of sperm function. Therefore, we aimed to assess sperm parameters and chromatin status in men with Celiac disease.

In this case-control study, semen samples were collected from 11 fertile men without Celiac and 10 men with diagnostic Celiac disease. Basic semen analyses were performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 protocol. The percentage of sperm with persistence histones, protamine deficiency, DNA fragmentation, malondialdehyde (MDA), and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed using aniline blue, chromomycin A3, sperm chromatin structure assay, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay, and diacetyldichlorofluorescein staining, respectively.

Unlike the sperm parameters, which did not show significant differences between men with Celiac disease and fertile individuals, sperm chromatin maturation (persistence histones and protamine deficiency) and sperm DNA damage in men with Celiac disease were significantly higher compared to fertile individuals (P<0.05). In addition, the percentage of sperm viability in these individuals was significantly lower than that in the fertile individuals (P<0.05). We did not observe any significant differences in sperm lipid peroxidation and intracellular ROS levels between the two study groups (P>0.05).

Celiac disease affects sperm chromatin maturation and DNA fragmentation, emphasizing its impact on reproductive health.

Morphine is a narcotic pain reliever that is prescribed to reduce postoperative pain and can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, it can have negative effects on spermatogenesis and male fertility. Vitamin E is an effective antioxidant which plays an important role in membrane lipid peroxidation due to increased ROS. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E and morphine on sperm parameters, level of malondialdehyde (MDA), and diameter of seminiferous tubules in morphine-treated mice.  In this experimental study, 80 mice were divided into ten groups (n=8) including control, normal saline, vehicle, morphine, various doses of vitamin E (100, 200, 300 mg/kg), and morphine plus vitamin E (100, 200, 300 mg/kg) groups. The groups were followed up for 30 consecutive days. Sperm parameters, testis weight, the diameter of seminiferous tubules, and the level of MDA were analyzed and compared. Data analysis showed seminal parameters decreased significantly (excluding sperm count) and there was an increase in the level of MDA in morphine-treated mice compared with the normal saline group (P<0.05). Administration of E100 to morphinetreated mice did not show a significant difference in the evaluated parameters compared with the morphine group. However, E200 and E300 significantly reduced MDA and improved sperm parameters (P≤0.05). The results showed co-administration of vitamin E in high doses (200 & 300) could prevent the deleterious effects of morphine on some reproductive parameters and decrease the level of MDA in morphine-treated mice.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of carvacrol and treadmill exercise on oxidative stress and testis structure in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

In this experimental study, the diabetes was induced using a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). The rats were assigned to five groups, namely a control group, a diabetic control group, a diabetic group receiving daily carvacrol at a dose of 75 mg/kg, diabetic groups performing treadmill exercise, and a diabetic group performing daily treadmill exercise and receiving carvacrol. After covering the treatment period, all rats were anesthetized and their blood sample were taken. Then the serum levels of oxidative stress markers were measured, the testicles and epididymis were removed, and the sperm parameters were assessed.

The treatment of diabetic rats with carvacrol and treadmill exercise effectively improved testis tissue damage, sperm parameters, glucose, and insulin plasma levels (P=0.001). In diabetic rats, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased while the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes decreased in the testes tissue (P=0.001). However, when carvacrol administration (75 mg/kg) was combined with treadmill exercise, these parameters were significantly rectified (P<0.05).

In sum, administering carvacrol and performing treadmill exercise were effective in improving the sperm parameters and testicular oxidative damage caused by diabetes.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of crocin and treadmill exercise on oxidative stress, sperm parameters, and testis structure in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

In this experimental study, 64 diabetic rats induced by a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of STZ (50 mg/kg) were assigned to the following groups (n=8/each): healthy control group, diabetic control group, diabetic group treated daily with crocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg, and one healthy group receiving daily crocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 56 days. Some groups such as the controls and diabetics exercised with treadmill, as well as the healthy and diabetic groups performed daily exercise with treadmill and crocin. After crocin treatment, all rats were anesthetized, their blood samples were taken, and the serum level of insulin, glucose, and oxidative stress markers were measured. Finally, the testicles and epididymis were removed and sperm parameters were assessed.

Treatment of diabetic rats with crocin along with treadmill exercise significantly replaced the testicular tissue damage, sperm parameters, glucose, and insulin plasma levels (P = 0.001). In diabetic rats, moreover, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased and the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes activity were reduced in the testicular tissue (P = 0.001). Crocin administration (50 mg/kg BW) and exercise significantly improved these parameters (P < 0.05).

Our results confirm the antioxidant role of crocin and the positive role of treadmill exercise in improving the sperm parameters and testicular oxidative damage caused by diabetes.

In this research, we evaluated the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Galega officinalis and Cornus mas on spermatogenesis and oxidative stress associated with diabetes in the testes of adult rats.

In this experimental study, a total of 64 adult male Wistar rats were divided into eight equal groups (n=8 in each) as follows: (1) control group, (2) diabetic control group, (3) diabetic group receiving Galega extract daily at a dose of 50 mg/kg, (4) healthy group receiving Galega extract daily at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 14 days, (5) diabetic group receiving Cornus mas extract daily at a dose of 100 mg/kg, (6) healthy group receiving Cornus mas extract daily, (7) diabetic group receiving Cornus mas and Galega daily, and (8) healthy group receiving Galega and Cornus mas extract daily. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). At the end of treatment period, all animals were anesthetized and blood samples were taken to measure the serum levels of insulin, glucose, and oxidative stress markers. Finally, the testicles and epididymis were removed and sperm parameters were assessed.

Galega and Cornus mas extract significantly reduced the oxidative stress, sperm parameters, glucose, and insulin plasma levels (P=0.001). Furthermore, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level was increased in diabetic rats. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes decreased in testicular tissue (P=0.001). Administering Galega and Cornus mas extract significantly improved these parameters (P<0.05).

Our results confirmed the antioxidant effect of administering Galega extract and Cornus mas extract on improving the sperm parameters and testicular oxidative damage caused by diabetes.