Abstract
Background and Aim:Cordyceps militaris (CM) is a fungus that has been used to enhance aphrodisiac activity in men, but to date, no studies have focused on its antidiabetic properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CM on reproductive performance of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male rats.Materials and Methods:Six-week-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control Group 1 consisting of healthy rats; Group 2, healthy rats treated with CM (100 mg/kg); Group 3, diabetic untreated rats; and Group 4, diabetic rats treated with CM (100 mg/kg). Rats were orally administered with vehicle or CM for 21 days. The body weight, blood glucose level, food intake, epididymal sperm parameter, sexual behavior, serum testosterone level, and antioxidant parameters were determined.Results:The results indicated that CM treatment in STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly improved the epididymal sperm parameter and serum testosterone level and, in turn, their copulatory behavior. CM treatment in diabetic rats significantly ameliorated malondialdehyde level and significantly improved the glutathione and catalase levels.Conclusion:These results provide new information on the pharmacological properties of CM in ameliorating testicular damage due to oxidative stress and improving sexual performance in diabetic male rats.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which often results from deficiency in insulin secretion or action [1,2]
The results indicated that Cordyceps militaris (CM) treatment in STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly improved the epididymal sperm parameter and serum testosterone level and, in turn, their copulatory behavior
NC=Normal control rats; NC+CM100, normal rats treated with Cordyceps militaris (CM) (100 mg/kg); DM=Diabetic control rats; DM+CM100, diabetic rats treated with CM (100 mg/kg)
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, which often results from deficiency in insulin secretion or action [1,2]. DM has often been associated with sexual dysfunction in men and women. Male patients with DM have sexual dysfunctions, such as decreased libido and impotence, spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, problems with penile erection and ejaculation, and disturbance in endocrinal hormone secretion (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis), which can lead to Copyright: Nguyen, et al Open Access. This study aimed to investigate the effects of CM on reproductive performance of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male rats
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