ABSTRACT
AIMS: this study aimed to examine the protective role of omega-3 and insulin on reproductive system of the male mouse model of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially DNA integrity and chromatin quality. MAIN METHODS: adult age-matched mice were divided into intact, sham, or T2DM groups (n = 7) which received a high-fat diet/low-dose streptozotocin. T2DM-induced animals underwent no treatment as diabetic control (T2DM), received omega-3 (T2DM + Omg3), received insulin (T2DM + Ins) and their combination (T2DM + Omg3 + Ins) for 35 days. After which, testicular and sperm parameters and testosterone levels were evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: our findings revealed that the various examined parameters were comparable between the intact and sham groups, while most testicular and sperm parameters were affected by T2DM. Treatment of T2DM-induced animals with omega-3, alone and in combination with insulin, significantly improved sperm motility, normal morphology, sperm chromatin quality, DNA integrity, Leydig cell number and non-significantly testosterone levels. SIGNIFICANCE: T2DM interferes with spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis as well as sperm quality and DNA integrity, which can be partially ameliorated by long-term administration of omega-3 in combination with or without insulin. Although our findings should be confirmed in clinical studies, since previous clinical trials have found omega-3 consumption to be beneficial in humans, its use seems to be safe and effective.
