Abstract
Soy isoflavones (SIF) are biologically active compounds of non-steroidal and phenolic properties that are richly present in soybeans, which can reduce the body weight and blood lipids of obese animals. Recently, SIF have been reported to affect reproductive ability in obese male rats. However, the specific mechanism has not been well defined. The aim of the current study was to study the possible mechanisms for the effect of SIF administration on obesity induced spermatogenic defects. Obese rats model induced by high-fat diets were established and gavage treated with 0, 50,150 or 450 mg of SIF/kg body weight/day for 4 weeks. Here, our research shows that obesity resulted in spermatogenic degeneration, imbalance of reproductive hormone, testicular oxidative stress and germ cell apoptosis, whereas evidently recovery effects were observed at 150 and 450 mg/kg SIF. We also have discovered that 150 and 450 mg/kg SIF can activate Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in control of Bcl-2, BAX and cleaved caspase-3 expression with implications in antioxidant protection. Our study indicates the potential mechanism of SIF regulating spermatogenic function in obese rats, and provides a scientific experimental basis for the regulation of biological function of obese male reproductive system by SIF.
Highlights
Most developed countries have seen an unprecedented increase in obesity rates over the past few decades
Sperm is produced in the testis and stored in the epididymis, so we observed the morphological structure of the testicular spermatogenic epithelium and the epididymal sperm parameters
Obesity can lead to low spermatogenic function and even infertility in males, but it is necessary to understand the impacts on spermatogenesis when a Soy isoflavones (SIF)-supplemented diet is used for obese men
Summary
Most developed countries have seen an unprecedented increase in obesity rates over the past few decades. In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight and of these over 650 million were obese according to the World Health Organization (WHO) [1]. Obesity is a medical condition in which excessive fat accumulation has an adverse health effect. Body mass index (BMI) is usually used to define overweight (BMI, 25–29.9 kg/m2 ) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) in adults [2,3]. Data suggested obesity has a negative impact on male reproductive system and fertility over the past decade [8,9,10,11]
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