Effect of Supplementation of Bovine Placental Powder on Testicular Tissue and Spermatozoa in Aging Rat Model

Abstract

Background: Aging in the male reproductive system can cause testicular degeneration. Nowadays, regenerative medicine is a developing domain. This study is conducted to describe the potential effects of dried bovine placenta supplementation on the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa, the density of seminiferous tubules luminal content and Leydig cells counts in D-galactose-induced reproductive aging in male rats. Methods: A total of 15 healthy adult male Wistar rats were used in this study. Rats were randomly divided into three groups, A: healthy control, B: D-galactose treated, C: D-galactose treated and supplemented with 10% dried bovine placenta. The percentage of abnormal spermatozoa, density of seminiferous tubules luminal content and Leydig cells count were determined. One-Way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Result: The average per cent of abnormal spermatozoa did not differ. The seminiferous tubule proportion with full luminal density in Group C (55.2%) was higher than Group B (31.8%, P=0.001) but relatively similar to Group A (62%, P=0.513). The seminiferous tubule proportion with medium luminal density in Group C (23.3%) was lower than Group B (34.2%, P=0.016) but relatively similar to Group A (25.8%, P=1.000). The seminiferous tubule proportion with low luminal density in Group C (21.5%) was lower than Group B (34.0%, P=0.016) but relatively similar to Group A (13.4%, P=0.139). The average number of Leydig cells counted did not differ. In conclusion, supplementation of 10% dried bovine placenta improved the density of seminiferous tubules luminal content in D-galactose-induced reproductive aging in male rats.