The Effects of Intracerebro-Ventricular Administration of Salmon Calcitonin on Sperm Parameters in Rats

The function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis plays an important role in regulating fertility. This study aimed to investigate the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of salmon calcitonin (sCT) on sex hormones and sperm quality in rats.

This experimental study was conducted in 2023 at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz and Shiraz University. Twelve rats divided into two groups (n = 6). Rats of the first group (control) injected with artificial cerebrospinal fluid with a volume of 5 microliters ICV. Rats of the second group injected ICV with sCT at a dose of 1.5 nmol with a volume of 5 microliters. 72 hours after ICV injections, the serum levels of LH, FSH and testosterone measured. Also, sperms from the epididymal region were used to determine sperm quality.

ICV injection of sCT decreased the levels of LH, FSH, and testosterone significantly. The sCT reduced sperm density significantly, but not motility, compared to the control group. The sCT decreased significantly intact acrosome and increased damaged acrosome compared to the control group.

ICV injection of sCT can reduce sperm quality, probably through induction of an imbalance in FSH and LH production as well as testosterone.