Honey Improves Sperm Parameters in High Cholesterol Diet-Fed Male Rabbits

Abstract

Overconsumption of a high-energy diet has a negative impact on sperm motility, morphology, vitality and concentration. Hence, this study aims to investigate the effects of honey on sperm parameters of high cholesterol diet-fed rabbits and compare its effects with atorvastatin. Forty-eight male New Zealand white rabbits were assigned into 6 groups: Control (C): commercial pellet; CH: commercial pellet and 600 mg/kg/day Trihoney; HCD: 1% cholesterol diet; DH1: 1% cholesterol diet and 300 mg/kg/day Trihoney; DH2: 1% cholesterol diet and 600 mg/kg/day Trihoney; DAt: 1% cholesterol diet and 2 mg/kg/day atorvastatin. After 12 weeks, each rabbit was anaesthetized. Sperm were obtained from the cauda of the epididymis. Percentages of progressive (PM) and total motility (TM) were assessed using light microscope. Vitality and morphology were assessed using Eosin-Nigrosin stain. Sperm concentration was calculated using haemocytometer. Administration of 1% cholesterol diet reduced the percentages of PM, TM and normal sperm. Treatment with atorvastatin reduced the percentages of PM, TM, live and normal sperm. A marked reduction in sperm concentration was detected in the HCD and DAt groups. Trihoney groups expressed significantly higher percentages of PM, TM, normal sperm, live sperm and sperm concentration than the HCD and DAt groups. These results indicate that Trihoney has the potential to minimize the negative impacts of a high cholesterol diet on sperm parameters.