Effect of α-lipoic acid on sperm quality, reproductive tract measures in thinner exposed rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of alpha lipoic acid (ALA, an universal antioxidant) on thinner-induced testicular toxicity regarding spermatological features, body and reproductive tract measures in rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five treatment groups, eight rats in each. Control group was treated with placebo. Group O was given only olive oil. The group L received only α-lipoic acid. Thinner + Lipoic Acid group received thinner + α-lipoic acid and group T received only thinner. Thinner alone administration caused significant decreases in body and some reproductive organ weights, sperm count, motility and sperm membrane integrity, and significant increases in seminal vesicle weight and abnormal sperm rates compared with the values in the control group. However, concomitant administration of thinner with α-lipoic acid provided significant improvements in sperm parameters compared with values in alone group T. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that α-lipoic acid has a protective effect against thinner-induced reproductive dysfunction in male rats.

Influence of sperm concentration on the motility, morphology, membrane and DNA integrity along with oxidative stress parameters of ram sperm during liquid storage.

The aim of this study was to determine the influences of two different concentrations in terms of motility, morphology, membrane integrity (viability and HOST response: HE-test; modified hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST) associated with supravital eosin staining test), DNA integrity (COMET assay) and oxidative stress parameters (MDA, malondialdehyde; AOA, total antioxidant activity; GSH, reduced glutathione; NOx, nitric oxide) of liquid stored ram sperm for 5 days. Two different concentrations suitable for laparoscopic and cervical inseminations were employed. A total of 5 Pirlak rams (Daglic × Kivircik, local breed) with satisfactory breeding potential were selected. Semen samples were collected by artificial vagina. Ejaculates were extended to 25 and 100 million sperm per ml with Tris-based egg-yolk (T) extender at room temperature and stored at 4°C. The concentration significantly had effects on motility, morphology, membrane and DNA integrity along with oxidative stress parameters (P<0.05). Overall changes in the motility, morphology, membrane and DNA integrity along with oxidative stress parameters of ram sperm diluted with T in the 100 × 10(6)ml(-1) concentration and preserved at 4°C for a short term was found to be better preservation than that of diluted with T in the 25 × 10(6)ml(-1) concentration. Significant concentration × days of storage interactions were found for all parameters except the NOx. Further studies are required to elucidate the oxidative stress changes on sperm quality parameters in different concentrations during the liquid storage of ram semen.