Abstract
BackgroundCryptorchidism (CPT) is an important cause of male infertility. Rubus apetalus is a medicinal plant with a powerful antioxidant potential. We investigated the effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of R. apetalus on spermatozoa parameters, antioxidant enzymes and fertility potential of rats with experimental unilateral CPT.MethodNormal (n = 15), sham-operated (n = 15) and cryptorchid rats (n = 80; distributed into 16 groups of 5 rats/group) were treated for 2, 4 or 8 weeks with either distilled water (10 ml/kg/day), vitamin E (75 mg/kg/day), aqueous or methanolic extract of R. apetalus (12 and 60 mg/kg). Sex organ weights, spermatozoa parameters, testicular proteins, sex hormones, fertility potential, morphometric characteristics of testis and oxidative stress markers were measured.ResultsCPT significantly (p < 0.05–0.001) decreased testicular and epididymal weights, spermatozoa density, spermatozoa motility, spermatozoa normality, testicular proteins, LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations. In cryptorchid rats, peri-vascular fibrosis significantly increased (p < 0.001), while diameter of the seminiferous tube, germ cell thickness, gestation index and fertility index decreased when compared to control. Additionally, CPT induced oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and by reducing superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. These alterations were corrected by R. apetalus. For instance, a significantly increase (p < 0.05–0.001) in spermatozoa motility, normality, viability and density after 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment was noticed. R. apetalus also increased (p < 0.05–0.001) testicular proteins, gestation index (90–100%) and fertility index (90–100%), compared to the untreated cryptorchid rats.ConclusionR. apetalus boosts fertility potential in cryptorchid rats and could be considered as a promising alternative agent for the management of infertility associated with CPT.
Highlights
IntroductionCryptorchidism (CPT) is a boy-congenital malformation characterized by the absence of one (unilateral CPT) or both (bilateral CPT) testes in the scrotum [1, 2]
Cryptorchidism (CPT) is a boy-congenital malformation characterized by the absence of one or both testes in the scrotum [1, 2]
R. apetalus boosts fertility potential in cryptorchid rats and could be considered as a promising alternative agent for the management of infertility associated with CPT
Summary
Cryptorchidism (CPT) is a boy-congenital malformation characterized by the absence of one (unilateral CPT) or both (bilateral CPT) testes in the scrotum [1, 2]. CPT impairs testicular function (mainly due to high temperature) and contributes to male infertility [8]. High scrotal temperature induces lipid peroxidation, overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreases antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase), leading to germ cells death and infertility [10, 11]. CPT-induced infertility is characterized by a decrease in spermatozoa motility and azoospermia due to the destruction of germ cells and apoptosis [12]. Cryptorchidism (CPT) is an important cause of male infertility. We investigated the effects of aqueous and methanolic extracts of R. apetalus on spermatozoa parameters, antioxidant enzymes and fertility potential of rats with experimental unilateral CPT
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