Combined Effect of Biolux-H and Zinc Supplementation on Spermatogenesis and the Expression of DAZL and AR Genes in Rat Testicular Tissue

Fertility in men includes the ability to produce a sufficient number of normal sperm. Several factors affect the schermatogenesis-quality of sperm parameters. These factors include the use of certain chemical drugs, such as zinc and bioluxax-H (a combination of losartan + hydrochlorothiazide), common drugs used to treat hypertension. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of these drugs on spermatogenesis and the expression of Dogen on its effect in rat testis.

In the present experimental study, 32 Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n= 8): Group I (control) received distilled water, Group II (Lnh) was treated with Lnh (losartan and hydrochlorothiazide) (20/5 mg/kg BW/day, Group III (Zn) was treated with the Zn (Zinc gluconate, 30mg/kg BW/day, and Group IV (LnhZn) was treated with Lnh and Zn at the same doses. Treatment was continued in all groups for 60 days. After the treatment, testicular tissue, sperm parameters, and AR and Dazl genes expression in the rats were investigated.

In Lnh group, a significant decrease in spermatid cell count (34.1 ± 1.8) was observed as compared to the controls. In Zn group, all factors were similar to those in the control group and spermatocyte count (75.11 ± 1.3) and Sertoli cells (14.62 ± 3.4) increased in these groups compared to those of the controls; however, this increase was observed only in the number of spermatocytes (p < 0.05). Also, the LnhZn group had similar results in all factors compared to the control group. Moreover, the expression of AR (0.0048 ± 0.001) and DAZL (0.008 ± 0.006) genes in the Lnh region was significantly reduced compared to that in the control group (1 ± 0.04) (p= 0/05). AR gene showed increased expression in Zn (1.247 ± 0.073) and LnhZn (1.354 ± 0.224) groups compared to the controls. In addition, DAZL gene in Zn experimental groups (1.68 ± 0.4) and LnhZn (1.58 ± 0.54) showed a significant increase (p < 0/05).

The use of zinc supplementation improved the side effects of Bioluxax-H on sperm quality.