Effect of Diabetes on the Male Reproductive System—A Histomorphological Study

Abstract

Introduction Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder characterized by lack of insulin production by the β cells of the pancreas. This lack of insulin causes a variety of systemic effects on the metabolism of the body, one of which is reproductive dysfunction. The present study investigates the effects of diabetes on the male reproductive system of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Material and Methods A total of 18 adult male Wistar rats weighing ∼ between 250 and 300 g were included in the present study. The animals were divided into normal and diabetic groups. The diabetic group was further subdivided into 2 subgroups with durations of 24 and 48 days. A single dose of STZ (40 mg/kg body weight) was administrated intraperitoneally to the animals of the diabetic group. After the planned duration, the testes and epididymides were dissected, and their gross weight was measured. The tissues were then processed for histological study. Results The gross weight of the testes and epididymides in diabetic rats at 24 and 48 days showed a decrease in comparison to the control. (p < 0.01 for testes and epididymides).Diabetic animals presented a significant decrease in the diameter of the seminiferous tubules compared with the control group (p < 0.01). The epididymides in the diabetic groups showed a considerable reduction in the tubular surface area compared with the control group (p < 0.01). There was also a reduction in the mean diameter, which was measured using the maximum and minimum diameter of the tubules (p < 0.01). Conclusion The present study is an insight into the adverse effects that diabetes can have on the tissue structure of the testes, of the epididymides, and ultimately on the process of spermatogenesis.

Evaluation of the effect of ethanol leaf extract of Vernonia amygdalina on the Testicle of Diabetic Wistar Rats

“…Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the inabilityof the ᵝ-cells of the pancreas to produce insulin which in turn translates to arrays of systemic effects on the body's metabolism one of which being reproductive dysfunction [8]. Bitter leaf has unique nutritional and phytochemical properties which has numerous physiological, biochemical and morphological benefits [16].…”

“…The most essential organ tasked with sexual and reproductive functions is the testes also know as testicle which is known to deliver the male sex gamete and hormone known as androgen. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the inability of the ᵝ-cells of the pancreas to produce insulin which in turn translates to arrays of systemic effects on the body's metabolism one of which being reproductive dysfunction [8]. Research affirms that the efficacy of extracts of V. amygdalina is dose dependent and may deliver toxicity when employed to enhance diminished fertility [9].…”

Effects of Diabetes Mellitus on the Reproductive System of Adult Male Mice After One Cycle of Spermatogenesis

“…However, oxidative stress caused by chronic hyperglycemia is thought to be the major cause of testicular damage. Indeed, previous work indicated that oxidative stress damages sperm nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (Amaral et al, 2006;Aitken & Kopper, 2011;Kotian et al, 2019). Spermatozoa are highly vulnerable to oxidative attack as they lack significant antioxidant protection due to the limited volume and distribution of cytoplasmic space in which an appropriate armoury of defensive enzymes is housed (hyaluronidase, acid proteinases, arylsulfatase, ribonuclease, alkaline phosphatase).…”

Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Cnestis ferruginea Leaves on the Male Reproductive System in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Mice

“…Clinical studies have shown that patients with type 1 diabetes had significantly reduced motile and normal sperm counts and sperm cell concentration compared to the control group [7,8]. Results from several experimental studies have corroborated these facts [4,9,10]. Despite advances in the management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, treatment goals are frequently not achieved.…”