Bee glue (propolis) improves reproductive organs, sperm quality and histological changes and antioxidant parameters of testis tissues in rats exposed to excess copper

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the effects of propolis on the sperm quality, antioxidant and histological parameters in the testicular tissues of male Sprague Dawley rats exposed to excessive copper (Cu). In this aim, 24 rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows: the control, Cu, Propolis and Cu+Propolis. When compared to control group, Cu administration significantly decreased sperm motility and concentration, increased total abnormal sperm rate. It caused a significant induction the malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduction the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) in testicular tissues. Also, it caused loss, disorganisation and vacuolation of the germinal epithelium, oedema of the interstitial tissues, proliferation of the interstitial cells, spilled immature spermatogenic cells in the lumen of some seminiferous tubules. A large number of active caspase‐3‐positive stained apoptotic cells and a significant decrease in Johnsen's testicular score were determined. However, significant ameliorations were observed in all sperm characteristics, MDA, SOD, CAT, GSH, seminiferous tubules, number of apoptotic cells and Johnsen's testicular score in Cu+Propolis group. Our results showed that oral supplementation of propolis had curative effect on the sperm quality, antioxidant and histological parameters in the testicular tissues of male Sprague Dawley rats exposed to Cu.

Turkish Propolis and Its Nano Form Can Ameliorate the Side Effects of Cisplatin, Which Is a Widely Used Drug in the Treatment of Cancer

“…Propolis, which is a natural beekeeping product, due to the beneficial effects of its compounds, has been used for a lot of pharmacological and biological activities [ 29 ]. When administered orally, propolis is nontoxic and rarely causes allergic reactions.…”

Natural Products as Protective Agents for Male Fertility

“…Propolis co-treatment improved histopathological changes [191,199,205] by decreasing the number of apoptotic cells [191] and degenerative changes in the tubular epithelium [205] and increasing Johnsen's testicular score [191]. Additionally, propolis coadministration induced an increase in CAT and GSH levels [191,199], SOD [191], testosterone, 17-ketosteroid reductase, and GST levels [199], and it decreased MDA [191,205] and TBARS levels [199] and immunoreactivity of testicular HIF-1α [205]. In terms of sperm parameters, propolis co-treatment increased sperm concentration and motility and decreased abnormal sperm [191,199] and sperm death [199].…”

“…Propolis is a complex mixture of several compounds derived from plants and is processed by the salivary enzymes of bees [190], and for this reason, propolis content can vary depending on the plant source used by the bees [191]. Usually, the propolis of Northern temperate climates contains approximately 50% resins and vegetable balsams, 30% waxes, 10% essential oils, 5% pollen, and 5% other organic substances [192,193].…”

“…In testis, several studies have described the use of propolis as a protective factor against many different oxidative stress inducers, showing significant improvements in male fertility [204]. In addition, it has been found to have a protective role against oxidative stress-inducers such as copper, cadmium, and aluminum in the reproductive tissues of rats [191,199,205]. Propolis co-treatment improved histopathological changes [191,199,205] by decreasing the number of apoptotic cells [191] and degenerative changes in the tubular epithelium [205] and increasing Johnsen's testicular score [191].…”

“…In addition, it has been found to have a protective role against oxidative stress-inducers such as copper, cadmium, and aluminum in the reproductive tissues of rats [191,199,205]. Propolis co-treatment improved histopathological changes [191,199,205] by decreasing the number of apoptotic cells [191] and degenerative changes in the tubular epithelium [205] and increasing Johnsen's testicular score [191]. Additionally, propolis coadministration induced an increase in CAT and GSH levels [191,199], SOD [191], testosterone, 17-ketosteroid reductase, and GST levels [199], and it decreased MDA [191,205] and TBARS levels [199] and immunoreactivity of testicular HIF-1α [205].…”