Profertility effects of Shilajit on cadmium-induced infertility in male mice

Abstract

Shilajit is claimed as a Vajikarak (aphrodisiac) and used for the treatment of male infertility by traditional healers of the Indian subcontinent. Therefore, the present investigation was designed to assess the effectiveness of Shilajit for treatment of male infertility resulting from exposure to perilous chemicals. Effect of daily oral administration (p.o.) of Shilajit (50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg/Kg BW) was investigated for a single spermatogenic cycle (35 days) in cadmium-induced (2 mg/Kg BW, p.o. for 35 days) infertile adult (12-14 week) swiss male mice. Shilajit treatment increased weights of reproductive organs, testicular daily sperm production, activities of testicular Δ 3β-HSD and 17 β-HSD enzymes and serum level of testosterone. Histopathological evaluation of testis revealed that Shilajit restored spermatogenesis as reflected by a gradual augmentation in germ cell layers with increased doses of Shilajit compared to cadmium-treated mice. Further, Shilajit treatment reverted back the adverse effects of cadmium on motility and concentration of spermatozoa. Secretory activities of the epididymis and seminal vesicle and libido, fertility and the number of litters per female were also improved by Shilajit in cadmium-treated mice. Results thus suggest the potent androgenic nature of Shilajit and its role in fertility improvement against cadmium-induced infertility.

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

“…This study concluded that Lunasia amara was a potential herb to enhance male fertility. Mishra et al demonstrated the profertility effects of Shilajit which is a compact humic substance commonly prescribed for genitourinary disorders, digestive disorders, and diabetes [ 78 ]. Toxicity induced by cadmium in Swiss albino mice was reverted after treatment with the water extract (50, 100, 200 mg/kg for 35 days).…”

Letrozole protects against cadmium-induced inhibition of spermatogenesis via LHCGR and Hsd3b6 to activate testosterone synthesis in mice

“…Disturbed gonadal and hormonal functions are also postulated to play a crucial role in the testicular toxicity induced by cadmium. Previous studies have described that several substrates that can regulate steroidogenesis and exert therapeutic effects on cadmium-induced testicular toxicity, such as Feijoa, Shilajit and Moringa leaf ethanolic extracts [ 6 , 28 , 29 ]. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of cadmium on steroidogenesis, the quality and quantity of sperm, and the inflammatory response in mice.…”

“…Disturbed hormonal production is presumed to play a major role in the pathogenesis of infertility and testicular dysfunction induced by cadmium [ 5 ]. According to some studies, Cd significantly decreases the serum testosterone (T) level by inhibiting the activities of steroidogenic enzymes [ 3 , 6 ]. Several mechanisms of cadmium-induced disruptions in hormone production have been proposed.…”

Ameliorative effect of edibleHalopteris scopariaagainst cadmium‐induced reproductive toxicity in male mice: A biochemical and histopathologic study

“…The testis tissue is easily affected by oxidative stress because of its both high metabolic activity and membrane structure rich in polyunsaturated lipids (Vernet, Aitken, & Drevet, 2004). Earlier studies reported, following exposure to Cd, both an increase in abnormal sperm percentage and a decrease in the sperm motility and viability through increases in lipid peroxidation in the sperm membrane and consequently caused a dramatic change in the sperm fertilising potential in rats (El‐Demerdash et al, 2004; Mishra, Jain, & Singh, 2018). Similarly, Akinloye et al (2006) reported that Cd impaired the spermatogenesis by inducing systemic and cellular toxicity.…”

“…Cd‐induced reproductive toxicity studies also frequently evaluate changes in testicular tissue appearance to confirm spermiotoxic effects. Deteriorations and vacuolisations in Sertoli cells and oedema in the interstitium have been heavily documented as the first indicators of spermatogenesis damage in Cd‐induced reproductive toxicity (De Souza Predes, Diamante, & Dolder, 2010; Mishra et al, 2018; Ren et al, 2012). Our histopathological results indicated that CdCl 2 treatment caused major structural variations such as degeneration, cellular losses, deformations and oedema in tissue and cell of testicle accompanied by poor sperm quality compared to the untreated control group.…”