Abstract
Green tea is a popularly consumed beverage worldwide and contains polyphenols, whose antioxidant activities could improve sperm parameters and fertility thereof. We investigated the effect of green tea on the male rat reproductive system as well as its safety. Male Wistar rats were administered 2 and 5% aqueous extract of green tea for 52 days’ ad libitum, while the control group received tap water. Total polyphenol, flavanol, flavonol and soluble solids significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro (P < 0.01). Weights of body, testis, epididymis, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and liver, serum levels of testosterone, ferric reducing antioxidant power, creatinine, and sperm motility, remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Kidney weight, sperm concentration and vitality, spontaneous acrosome reaction increased (P < 0.05), while alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels decreased (P < 0.05). Catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and lipid peroxidation remained unchanged in the testes, liver and kidney (P > 0.05). Histological sections of testis, epididymis, kidney and liver showed no conspicuous alteration. Diameter and epithelial height of seminiferous tubule decreased, while caudal epididymis epithelial height increased (P < 0.01). Consumption of green tea in the conditions used in the present study seems to be safe and improved sperm parameters. However, subtle structural changes observed in the decreased diameter and epithelial height of the seminiferous tubule and increased acrosome reaction needs further investigation.
Highlights
Green tea is a popularly consumed beverage worldwide and contains polyphenols, whose antioxidant activities could improve sperm parameters and fertility thereof
The soluble solid content (P < 0.0001) as well as the ferric reducing power (P < 0.0001) was higher in the 5% in green tea extract compared to 2% green tea extract) (Table 1)
We aim to report on the overall effect of consumption of green tea ad libitum on the male reproductive system after the completion of one spermatogenic cycle in rats, as well as on the kidney and liver functions
Summary
Green tea is a popularly consumed beverage worldwide and contains polyphenols, whose antioxidant activities could improve sperm parameters and fertility thereof. Green tea is a popularly consumed beverage worldwide, especially in China, Japan and other Asian countries, including India[5]. Other studies revealed that administration of high doses of green tea or EGCG resulted in liver and renal toxicity[12,15,19,20], in which its polyphenol catechins could be the causative agent[20]. Administration of high dose GTPs (1%) to male mice caused renal toxicity, as marked by increased serum creatinine level, and increased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in both kidney and liver[22]. Protective effects of green tea extract were demonstrated against nephrotoxic agents in rats[27,28,29]
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