The effect of Quercetin on pituitary- gonadal axis, sperm parameters and testis tissue in male rats

Background and Antioxidants such as Quercetin protect sperm cells from free radical damage. This research was conducted to investigate the effects of Quercetin on spermatogenesis in male rats. In this experimental study 50 male rats were used. Quercetin was injected daily at doses of 5, 10, 15, 20 (mg/kg) for two weeks intraperitoneally. One week after the last injection, blood samples were collected and the left testis of rats were removed and weighed. Epididymal sperm and testicular sections were also studied. Data were analyzed by using one-way ANOVA at the significant level of 0.05 in SPSS 19 software. No significant difference was found in serum level of gonadotropins, but testosterone has increased at dose of 20 mg/kg (6.52±0.50, P=0/0079).Significant difference in testicular weight wasn’t seen. The number of sperm (51.35±1.68, P=0.0251) and also sperm mobility (73.88±5.91, P= 0.0002) in the epididymis especially at dose of 20 mg/kg has increased. No significant difference was found between the groups in the number of spermatogonia cells. But the number of primary spermatocytes (118.25±7.04, P=0.0171), spermatids (106.75±6.28, P=0.0032) and Spermatozoa (101.75±6.30, P= 0.0008) were increased at dose of 20 mg/kg. No significant change in gonadotropins was seen, which indicates that probably Quercetin has not affected PG axis. Quercetin is believed to improve the quality and quantity of germ cells with its antioxidant effects and increasing of testosterone.