Edible Bird’s Nest Supplementation Improves Male Reproductive Parameters of Sprague Dawley Rat

Abstract

Edible bird’s nest (EBN) is reported to have a positive in vitro proliferative effect and contain male reproductive hormones. Spermatogonia cells proliferate during spermatogenesis under male reproductive hormones stimulation that include testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). Characterization of EBN through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) has found testosterone as a base peak. Six types of amino acids, estradiol and sialic acid were among the major peaks that have been characterized. Based on the presence of these reproductive components, this study evaluated different doses of EBN on sperm parameters and male reproductive hormones of Sprague Dawley rats. Sixteen Sprague Dawley rats at the age of eight weeks were randomly and equally divided into four groups, which are Control, 10 mg/kg BW/d 50 mg/kg BW/d, and 250 mg/kg BW/d EBN group. The rats were fed with EBN enriched pellet daily and water ad-libitum. Rats were sacrificed and the organ was weighed for organ coefficients after eight weeks of treatment. Sperm concentration, percentage of sperm motility, and sperm viability were evaluated. Meanwhile, ELISA method was used to measure testosterone, FSH, and LH. Findings showed that there were no significant differences in organ coefficient between groups. Supplementation of 250 mg/kg BW/d EBN demonstrated a significant increase in sperm concentration, percentage of sperm motility as well as FSH and LH level compared to 10 mg/kg BW/d group. There was a dose-dependent increase in testosterone level but was not significant between groups. Based on these findings, EBN is concluded to have crucial effects on male reproductive parameters.

Long-Term Wi-Fi Exposure From Pre-Pubertal to Adult Age on the Spermatogonia Proliferation and Protective Effects of Edible Bird’s Nest Supplementation

“…These data indicate that supplementation of EBN 250 mg/kg to the prepubertal young has decreased testis and epididymal coefficients. This result contrasts with the supplementation of the EBN 250 mg/kg in the adult rats group, which did not cause any decrease in testis and epididymal coefficients (Jaffar et al, 2021).…”

“…The decrease in testis and epididymal organ coefficients following EBN supplementation to the young rats was likely due to estradiol (E2) hormone activity. This hormone was previously characterized to present in the EBN extract used in this study ( Jaffar et al, 2021 ). Several previous studies have reported an association between the administration of the hormone E2 on the development of the reproductive system of male rats.…”

“…EBN 250 mg/kg supplementation was given to the Control EBN and Wi-Fi + EBN groups. The dose chosen and the method of supplementation was done based on our previous report ( Jaffar et al, 2021 ).…”

“…It is composed mainly of protein, carbohydrates, and a small amount of fat ( Chua and Zukefli, 2016 ). Our previous study demonstrated a dose-dependent increase of sperm concentration, sperm motility, as well as testosterone, FSH, and LH serum hormonal level upon EBN supplementation ( Jaffar et al, 2021 ).…”

Effect of Chicken Bone Extract Powder on Epididymal Sperm Quality of Male Wistar Rats

“…Randomly ten fields from each slide (2 slides/sample) were observed by an experienced evaluator using a blind technique under a phase-contrast microscope (200 ×) (Nikon, Melville, NY, USA). The percentage of sperm motility was recorded based on the appearance of both progressive motile and non-progressive motile sperm (Jaffar et al 2021).…”