Potential Antioxidative Effects of Kolaviron on Reproductive Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of Kolaviron (KV) on the testicular and epididymal tissue antioxidant status in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ at 50 mg/ kg body weight. The antioxidant status was studied by evaluating epididymal and testicular levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation (LPO) marker, and the activities of catalase (CAT) glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also assessed using biochemical techniques. Diabetes induction resulted in testicular and epididymal LPO and adversely affected the activities of antioxidant enzymes evident by a noticeable decrease in enzyme activity in both tissues. The potential antioxidative effects of KV in the testicular and epididymal tissues of STZ-induced diabetes were revealed by its ability to mitigate against LPO and increase the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes in the reproductive tissues studied. KV might potentially be used as an antioxidant as well as antidiabetic treatment; however, further studies are needed.

Oxidative Stress and Male Infertility: Evidence From a Research Perspective

“…Using animal studies, we have also reported the association between obesity-induced hypertension and male infertility. Obese-hypertensive rats presented with increased levels of serum inflammatory cytokines when compared with control ( 130 ). Our studies on the effects of long-term obesity on male reproductive functions suggested that the instigator of the molecular and proteomic modifications includes: an increase in the production of ROS, elevated stress proteins levels and higher levels of redox and inflammatory proteins.…”

“…Several other population-based studies have shown the association between male infertility and hypertension ( 125 – 127 ). Animal studies have also thrived in this aspect of reproductive research and have provided evidence that hypertension is associated to male infertility ( 128 – 130 ). Akinyemi et al reported a significant decrease in serum total testosterone and reduced sperm progressive motility in hypertensive rats.…”

“…Also observed were histopathological testicular changes, as there were significant reductions in the seminiferous tubule area (97,807 ± 1,488 μm 2 vs. 118,347 ± 6,073 μm 2 , p < 0.05), seminiferous tubule diameter (354.0 ± 3.0 μm vs. 386.2 ± 9.5 μm, p < 0.05), lumen area (19,891 ± 1,717 μm 2 vs. 30,058 ± 3,639 μm 2 , p < 0.01), and lumen diameter (157.8 ± 7.3 μm vs. 191.2 ± 12.2 μm, p < 0.05) in the obese hypertensive group compared to the lean group. The obese hypertensive rats also presented with a significantly reduced testosterone: estradiol ratio ( 130 ). Another study performed with a hypertensive rat model reported altered sperm quality (sperm motility, normal morphology, sperm count) in hypertensive rats ( 129 ).…”