Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective Anacyclus Pyrethrum (AP) and Tribulus Terrestris (TT) have been reported as male infertility treatment in several studies; however, in Iranian traditional medicine these two plants are prescribed simultaneously. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of AP and TT extracts both separately and simultaneously on the male Wistar rat fertility parameters.Materials and Methods 32 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: Control, TT, AP, and AT treated groups. Treatment continued for 25 days and rats were weighed daily. Their testes were dissected for histological studies. Sperm analysis including sperm count, viability and motility were performed. Serum was obtained to evaluate testosterone, LH and FSH levels. Histological studies were conducted to study Leydig, and Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and spermatid cell numbers, and to measure seminiferous diameter and epithelium thickness.Results Sperm count increased in all the treatment groups. Sperm viability and motility in AT and AP groups were elevated. TT and AT groups showed significantly increased testosterone level compared to control group (P=004, P=0.000, respectively) and TT, AP and AT treatment groups showed increased LH level (P=0.002, P=0.03 and P=0.000, respectively) compared to control, while only AT group showed increased FSH (p=0.006) compared to control. Histological studies showed significant increase of spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli cell numbers and epithelial thickness in AT group compared to other groups. All the treatment groups had higher number of Leydig, spermatogonia and spermatid cells.Conclusion TT and AP improved sexual parameters; however, their simultaneous administration had higher improving effects on studied parameters.
Highlights
Infertility refers to inability to achieve pregnancy after twelve months of regular and unprotected intercourse [1, 2]
Body and sexual organ weights An increase was observed in body weight of Anacyclus Pyrethrum (AP) group, while a decrease was obvious in TT group compared to control group, AT group showed nearly the same weights as control group; none of the alterations were significant (Figure-1)
Data are presented as mean ± SD * Significant results Ctrl= control group; TT=Tribulus terrestris; AP=Anacyclus pyrethrum; AT=Anacyclus pyrethrum and Tribulus terrestris
Summary
Infertility refers to inability to achieve pregnancy after twelve months of regular and unprotected intercourse [1, 2]. The majority of infertile and sub fertile men have deficiency in the semen quality which is determined by low sperm numbers, sperm morphology and insufficient sperm motility. Male fertility is the direct consequence of spermatogenesis, a multistep process in seminiferous tubules of testis, which is highly regulated by sophisticated hormonal signaling pathways [6, 7]. Testosterone is the major androgen in the process of spermatogenesis promoting the maintenance of blood-testis barrier, Sertoli-spermatid adhesion and mature sperm release [8]. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) has a central role in controlling spermatogenesis. It performs its role by inducing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion from the anterior pituitary gland. LH stimulates adult Leydig cells to generate testosterone [7, 9], while FSH supports spermatogenesis by increasing Sertoli cell numbers and preventing apoptosis of spermatogonia and spermatocytes [9, 10]
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