Impact of Aloe Vera gel aqueous extract-supplemented yogurt on reproductive performance of male rats

Abstract

Aloe Vera (AV) is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of various health problems thousands of years ago. Recently, AV is considered as a functional raw material in the food technology of dairy products. The current study aims to investigate the effect of AV extract and/or yogurt consumption on male reproduction represented by gonadosomatic index (GSI), sperm quality, testosterone levels and testicular histology. The yogurt was prepared using fresh cow's milk and starter cultures. AV yogurt was prepared to contain AV (10 or 20 %). Twelve groups of rats orally fed with distilled water or AV extract and/or yogurt for 7 and 14 days. After 7 days of feeding, GSI decreased after feeding AV extract and recovered after 14 days. However, after 7 days, sperm concentration increased in rats received AV extract 10% and declined significantly after administration of AV extract and yogurt mixture but this decline recovered after 14 days. Rats received yogurt alone showed significant decrease of sperm motility percent as well as disturbance of sperm morphology represented by high abnormal sperm percent. On the other side, level of testosterone is declined significantly in all 7 days-treated groups and recovered after 14 days except in rats received AV extract 20% and yogurt mixture. Further, histological examination of the testes showed deleterious changes in normal testicular architecture after 7 days administration with partial recovery after 14 days. Therefore, it can be concluded that the AV extract and/or yogurt has dose- and time- dependent effect on male reproductive performance.