Protective effects of hydro-alcoholic garlic extract on spermatogenic disorders in streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice

Diabetes can cause sexual dysfunction including spermatogenic disorders in the diabetic patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of garlic extract in diabetic mice.
Diabetes was induced by multiple low-dose streptozotocin injections (40 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days), in male C57BL/6 mice (15-20 gr body weight). After induction of diabetes, the mice were divided into 4 groups: group 1 (normal control group); group 2 (diabetic control group); group 3 (treatment with garlic extract 200 mg/kg for 35 days) and group 4 (treatment with garlic extract 400 mg/kg for 35 days). Mice were euthanized on the 35th day and serum testosterone levels were estimated. Testes and epididymis were removed for sperm evaluation and measurement of nitric oxide (NO) levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC).
Garlic treatment significantly improved semen parameters and increased serum level of testosterone (p This study showed potent antioxidant effect of hydro-alcoholic garlic extract on the testes of mice against type 1 diabetes -induced oxidative stress.