Cyclophosphamide-induced male subfertility in mice: An assessment of the potential benefits of Maca supplement

Abstract

Effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced gonadal toxicity in male mice were investigated. Mice were assigned to six treatment groups: Vehicle control, CYP control, CYP plus oral Maca (500 or 1,000 mg/kg), and oral Maca (500 or 1,000 mg/kg). CYP was administered via the intraperitoneal route (days 1-2), while vehicle or Maca were administered daily for 28 days. On day 28, half of the animals in each group were either sacrificed or paired with age-matched females for fertility assessment. Plasma testosterone assay, sperm analysis and assessment of tissue antioxidant/morphological status were also carried out. CYP administration was associated with oxidative stress, subfertility and morphometric/morphological indices of gonadal injury, while administration of Maca mitigated CYP-induced gonadal toxicity and subfertility. This study shows that Maca is beneficial in the mitigation of CYP-induced male gonadal insufficiency and/or testicular morphological changes; however, further studies will be needed to ascertain its usability for this purpose in humans.

Role of Antioxidant Natural Products in Management of Infertility: A Review of Their Medicinal Potential

“…In total, 75 studies focused on plant derived compounds, five studies on animal derived compounds, and only one study presented a natural substance of fungal origin. Natural products which were mentioned more than once include Curcumin, Echinacoside, and extracts from Cistanche tubulosa , Date palm pollen, Diallyl sulfide , Lycium barbarum , Linn., Lepidium meyenii Walp., Morinda oleifera Lam, and Tribulus terrestis Linn [ 6 , 9 , 22 , 50 , 51 , 54 , 55 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 104 , 105 ]. Especially, the effects of Tribulus terrestis Linn.…”

“…Lepidium meyenii Walp. is a Peruvian hypototyl and its roots are widely used for energizing and enhancing fertility [ 64 ]. Maca capsules (500, 1000 mg/kg for 28 days) were administrated to Empire Breeders mice induced with cyclophosphamide.…”

Cancer treatment in childhood and testicular function: the importance of the somatic environment

“…A number of recent studies investigating the use of a variety of agents to protect the rodent testis from chemotherapy- or radiotherapy-induced testicular damage have been reported, mostly involving treatment of adult animals. This includes the use of traditional Chinese herbal compounds ( 118 , 119 ), antioxidants ( 120 , 121 ) and pharmaceuticals ( 120 , 122 , 123 ) However, to date, only a limited number of studies have investigated the association between protection of the germ cell populations and somatic cell effects.…”

“…Two studies have described amelioration of androgen production or action in association with protection of the germ cell population in the adult rodent testis. Testosterone production ( 119 ) and AR ( 118 ) expression are reduced in adult mice following administration of cyclophosphamide. However, co-administration of the antioxidant Lepidium meyenii (Maca) or Yanjing capsule (traditional Chinese herbal preparation) were able to prevent the effects of cyclophosphamide on testosterone production and AR expression respectively.…”

Antioxidants in Maca (Lepidium meyenii) as a Supplement in Nutrition

“…When used in rats and mice at various doses of maca or its antioxidant compounds, some effects are occurred against the stress factors. In particular, GPx, SOD and glutathione (GSH) levels in serum, liver and brain increase, MDA and ROS (reactive oxygen species) decrease [45,46]. Choi et al [32] determined that the lipid soluble extract of maca contained 7.8 mg/g DM of macamide and macaene while maca powder contained at the level of 0.3-0.4 mg/g DM.…”