Effect of Resistance and Endurance Trainings on Sperm Parameters and Spermatogenesis Indices in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of endurance training and resistance programs on sperm parameters and spermatogenesis in diabetic rats.

In this experimental study, in one group, 24 healthy male Wistar rats were assigned into three subgroups (control, endurance training, and resistance training). The next group (n=24) consisted of male rats, in which diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide (120mg/kg( + streptozotocin (65mg/kg( after 12 hours of starvation. This group was divided into three subgroups (diabetic control, diabetic endurance training, and diabetic resistance training). One week after the induction of diabetes, resistance, and endurance training protocols were performed in all groups for 10 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last training session, the left epididymis was removed to examine sperm parameters.

Blood glucose levels significantly reduced in diabetic group with endurance and resistance trainings (P<0.0001). Sperm parameters (count, motility, and morphology) did not significantly increase in the diabetic group with endurance and resistance training programs compared with those in the diabetic control group (P<0.05). Spermatogenesis indexes (tubul differentiated index, spermiogenesis index, and repopulation index) significantly increased in the diabetic group with endurance and resistance training programs compared with those in the diabetic control group (P<0.0001).

Both types of exercises improved spermatogenesis indexes, but further experiments are needed to evaluate the role of moderate-intensity exercise on the oxidative stress in fertility of diabetic rats.