Protective effects of restricted diet and antioxidants on testis tissue in rats fed with high-fat diet

A high-fat diet [HFD] promotes the oxidative stress formation, which in turn has hazardous effects on reproductive system and fertility. The present study examines the potential positive effects of a restricted high fat diet [RHFD] and antioxidants consumption on sperm parameters and testis tissue in rats. Male rats [n = 48] were divided into four groups [12 in each group]: control group [Cont], HFD group, RHFD, and RHFD with astaxanthin and vitamins E and C group [RHFDA]. After 12 weeks, serum analysis and sperm parameters study were performed. Sections of fixed testes were stained with Hematoxilin and Eosin to study the histological changes. A one-way ANOVA was used to compare the data. HFD fed animals presented significant increase in weight load and serum low density lipoprotein [LDL-C] levels [P < 0.05]. The sperm count in RHFD was lower than three other groups [P < 0.05] and sperm motility of RHFDA group was significantly higher than HFD and RHFD groups [P < 0.05]. The histological study was showed a significant increase in spermatogonium number in RHFDA compared to three other groups [P < 0.05]. The number of spermatocyte I and spermatid in RHFD was significantly [P < 0.05] lower than Cont and HFD groups. HFD and obesity can affect sperm parameters and spermatogenesis and antioxidants consumption may improve their quality. Although the RHFD is a benefit way in weight loss and decrease of LDL-C of serum, but it is suggested that is not effective on sperm quality improvement

Protective effects of antioxidants on sperm parameters and seminiferous tubules epithelium in high fat-fed rats

Prescription of antioxidants might increase the quality of sperm parameters and improve the rate of pregnancy in obese people who suffer from infertility. Therefore, the present study investigated protective effects of vitamin A, E and astaxanthin on sperm parameters and seminiferous tubules epithelium in high-fat diet model. Thirty-six numbers of 3 months old albino Wistar rats were divided to control, high-fat diet and high-fat diet with antioxidants groups. After 12 weeks, levels of LDL-C and HDL-C were detected in the groups. Sperm was obtained from the tail of epididymis and its parameters [count, vitality, motility and morphology] were analyzed. Testes were fixed in 10% formalin and after tissue processing, stained with Hematoxylin and Eosine [H and E] for histological evaluation. Data were analyzed by a one-way ANOVA and p<0.05 was considered significant. Our results indicated that viability, motility and normal morphology of sperm in high-fat diet [HFD] decreased significantly compared to high-fat diet with antioxidant [HFD A] and the control groups [p<0.05]. Also spermatogonium and the number of Sertoli cells increased significantly in HFD+A compared to the control [p<0.05]. As it is shown in our study, application of antioxidants decreased serum triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL-C/LDL-C in high-fat diet model and improved the semen parameters. Therefore, it is suggested that the low quality of sperm can be improved in obese men through antioxidant prescription. Finally, it seems that the antioxidants in obese patients with subfertility or infertility is a new and efficient strategy with few side effects