Effect of Omega-3 or Omega-6 Dietary Supplementation on Testicular Steroidogenesis, Adipokine Network, Cytokines, and Oxidative Stress in Adult Male Rats

Amira Moustafa,Yi Fang

doi:10.1155/2021/5570331

Abstract

This study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of omega-3 and omega-6 supplementation on the levels of different adipokines and cytokines, as well as the antioxidant system, in relation to male reproductive hormones and testicular functions. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were daily gavaged with either physiological saline (control group), sunflower oil (omega 6 group; 1 mL/kg body weight), or fish oil (omega-3 group; 1000 mg/kg body weight) for 12 weeks. The administration of omega-3 or omega-6 resulted in decreased serum concentrations of kisspeptin 1, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone. In addition, it downregulated the mRNA expression levels of steroidogenic genes. The intratesticular levels of apelin, adiponectin, and irisin were elevated while chemerin, leptin, resistin, vaspin, and visfatin were declined following the administration of either omega-3 or omega-6. The testicular concentration of interleukin 10 was increased while interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, and nuclear factor kappa B were decreased after consumption of omega-3 or omega-6. In the testes, the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase 1, and the total antioxidant capacity were improved. In conclusion, the administration of omega-3 or omega-6 adversely affects the process of steroidogenesis but improves the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status of the reproductive system via modulating the levels of testicular adipokines.

Highlights

Based on their chemical nature, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are categorized into three groups: omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9
Linoleic acid, which is plentiful in vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, is the primary dietary source of omega-6 PUFA [1], and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 PUFAs can be directly obtained from fish oils
Diets rich in PUFAs are supposedly healthier, most people consume a higher amount of omega-6 PUFAs than required for normal physiological functioning, primarily as linoleic acid [2]

Summary

Introduction

Based on their chemical nature, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are categorized into three groups: omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9. The Western diet is relatively low in omega-3 PUFAs and abundant in omega-6 PUFAs [3]. In both humans and animals, decreasing the consumption of omega-6 and increasing the intake of omega-3 are encouraged for better health [3]. Omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish oil have been shown to decrease inflammation, improve cardiac function [4], promote lipid degradation [5], and prevent neurological and psychiatric disorders [6]. Omega-3 PUFAs have been shown to enhance antioxidant enzyme activity and protect cells from excess ROS [8]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion