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

ABSTRACT

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