Does Propolis Extract Alleviate Male Reproductive Performance Through Gonadotropic Hormone Levels and Sperm Quality?

Abstract

Nowadays, the exploration of natural substances as an antifertility agent is the new paradigm in controlling the production and physiological performance of male and female germ cells. Natural antifertility agents have fewer side effects compared to chemical synthetic antifertility. Among that, the propolis extract was improved the reproductive performance through increasing sperm and male gonadotropic hormone activity. However, the discrepancy remains. Even though the action of testosterone has an essential role during spermatogenesis. However, the higher level of this hormone was also suggested to correlate with infertility. Thus, the circulating testosterone levels can be used as an additional parameter for monitoring reproductive system disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Propolis extract on testosterone hormone levels of Balb C mice (Mus musculus). Male Balb C strain mice (Mus musculus) with age of 10-12 weeks and weight of 25-29 g were used. There were six kinds of treatments were approved, including a control group and five serial dilutions of the propolis extract (2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5% ). The propolis extract was given peroral for 18 days. Mice were dissected on the 19th day, and its blood was taken to count the levels of testosterone. The quantification of circulating testosterone levels was carried out by using the ELISA test. The data were analyzed by one way ANOVA and followed by LSD test. Testosterone level began to increase at 10% concentrations of propolis extract. It can be concluded that Propolis Extract can increase testosterone levels. Thus, it is expected to serve as a potential male anti-fertility agent.