The Protective Effect of Royal Jelly on Testicular Histomorphometry and Spermatogenesisin Heat-Stress Exposed Male Rats

Scrotal hyperthermia has been known as a cause of male infertility. Testicular heat-stress even for a single short period can induce destruction in testicular tissue and spermatogenesis disturbances. This study was conducted to determine the protective effects of royal jelly (RJ) against testicular damage and spermatogenesis following heat-stress induction in male rats.   In this experimental study, 48 male rats were randomly divided into 8 groups (n=6( including: 1- Control, 2- RJ (100 mg/kg BW/day; PO), 3 , 4 and 5 heat-stressed  (43, 39, and 37 for 20 min per day, respectively) and 6, 7 and 8 heat-stressed along with RJ (43, 39, and 37 for 20 min per day, respectively plus RJ at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW/day; PO). Heat-stress was induced through immersion of experimental rat scrotums in a water bath. After 48 days, the animals were sacrificed and left testes were removed and fixed. Five-micrometer testicular tissue sections were prepared and studied using a light microscope.   The data revealed that diameter and germinal epithelium height of the seminiferous tubules, thickness of basement membrane, number of spermatogenic and Sertoli cells, and testicular weight decreased significantly (p<0.05) in heat-stress groups compared to control and RJ groups. Interestingly, RJ co-administration significantly (p<0.05) ameliorated above-noted parameters in all heat-stress-exposed animals except in 43  heat-stress + RJ group.  RJ administration can protect testicular tissue changes and prevent reduction of spermatogenic cell counts in testicular heat stress conditions.